One of these is a massive asteroid named 2024 KQ1, about the size of an aeroplane, is speeding toward Earth at 24,762 kilometres per hour.
Although 2024 KQ1 is slightly smaller than this threshold, it is still significant enough to be monitored closely by astronomers.
How Do Nasa CNEOS, NASA's Near-Earth Object hub, keeps tabs on all known NEOs to check for crash risks.
CNEOS, NASA's Near-Earth Object hub, keeps tabs on all known NEOs to check for crash risks.
By keeping an eye on asteroids like 2024 KQ1, NASA makes sure we're ready to spot and tackle any cosmic curveballs headed our way.
A massive aeroplane asteroid is moving towards Earth tomorrow. Know details.
Asteroid s are daily cosmic visitors to Earth . However, a few of them pose a great threat to human life due to their close approach or their size. One of these is a massive asteroid named 2024 KQ1, about the size of an aeroplane, is speeding toward Earth at 24,762 kilometres per hour. This space rock measures roughly 180 feet (55 meters) in diameter. The closest approach is expected tomorrow at 4:07 UTC (9:37 AM IST on July 4). The 2024 KQ1 is part of the Amor group, a category of near-Earth asteroids named after the archetype object. Despite its speed, there's no need for panic, as the asteroid will safely pass Earth at a distance of 3.54 million miles from Earth.
Is It Potentially Dangerous? Most near-Earth objects (NEOs) have orbits that don't bring them close to Earth and pose no impact risk. However, a small fraction, known as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs), require more attention. PHAs are defined as asteroids larger than about 460 feet (140 meters) with orbits that bring them within 7.5 million kilometres of Earth's orbit around the Sun. Although 2024 KQ1 is slightly smaller than this threshold, it is still significant enough to be monitored closely by astronomers.
How Do Nasa CNEOS, NASA's Near-Earth Object hub, keeps tabs on all known NEOs to check for crash risks. The Minor Planet Center's records provide orbital info pooling data from global observatories. This includes input from backyard stargazers and big NASA-funded setups like Pan-STARRS, Catalina Sky Survey, and NEOWISE. The soon-to-launch NEO Surveyor will boost this vital work. CNEOS, NASA's Near-Earth Object hub, keeps tabs on all known NEOs to check for crash risks. The Minor Planet Center's records provide orbital info pooling data from global observatories. This includes input from backyard stargazers and big NASA-funded setups like Pan-STARRS, Catalina Sky Survey, and NEOWISE. The soon-to-launch NEO Surveyor will boost this vital work.
Planetary radar projects pack a punch in tracking and studying these space rocks. The Goldstone Solar System Radar Group at NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab leads the charge here. By keeping an eye on asteroids like 2024 KQ1, NASA makes sure we're ready to spot and tackle any cosmic curveballs headed our way.