NASA alerts about a 210-ft asteroid travelling towards Earth at fiery speed.
A giant asteroid, measuring 210 feet (64 metres) wide, is hurtling towards Earth and will make its closest approach later this month.
Asteroids classified as "potentially hazardous" are those larger than 460 feet (140 metres) in diameter and have orbits that bring them within 4.6 million miles (7.5 million kilometres) of Earth.
Data on near-Earth objects comes from various sources, including professional observatories like NASA-funded Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, and NEOWISE, alongside contributions from dedicated amateur astronomers worldwide.
The upcoming close approach of 2019 NJ serves as a valuable reminder of the ongoing efforts to track and understand near-Earth objects.
NASA alerts about a 210-ft asteroid travelling towards Earth at fiery speed.
A giant asteroid, measuring 210 feet (64 metres) wide, is hurtling towards Earth and will make its closest approach later this month. The space rock , named 2019 NJ, belongs to the Amor group of asteroids, known for their orbits that occasionally bring them close to our planet. Clocking in at a speed of 36,386 kilometres per hour (22,549 miles per hour), 2019 NJ will zip past Earth at a safe distance of 6.6 million kilometres (4.1 million miles) on June 27, 2024, at 18:24 UTC (which translates to 11:54 PM IST on June 27).
While the asteroid's size is certainly massive, its trajectory ensures it will safely zoom past our planet without any risk of impact.
Keeping an Eye on Space Rocks
NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) continuously monitors all known near-Earth objects, including asteroids and comets, to assess any potential impact threats. Asteroids classified as "potentially hazardous" are those larger than 460 feet (140 metres) in diameter and have orbits that bring them within 4.6 million miles (7.5 million kilometres) of Earth.
Data on near-Earth objects comes from various sources, including professional observatories like NASA-funded Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, and NEOWISE, alongside contributions from dedicated amateur astronomers worldwide. Additionally, NASA's planetary radar projects play a crucial role in gathering detailed information about these celestial bodies.
The upcoming close approach of 2019 NJ serves as a valuable reminder of the ongoing efforts to track and understand near-Earth objects. While this particular asteroid poses no danger, continued monitoring ensures we're prepared for any potential future threats from space.
