NASA tracks asteroid 2022 MM1's passage near Earth on June 28.
NASA is tracking a 120-foot (37-metre) wide asteroid named 2022 MM1, which will make a close approach to Earth this weekend.
The safe distance between Earth and 2022 MM1 at its closest approach will be a comfortable 2.9 million kilometres (1.8 million miles) – roughly seven times the Earth-Moon distance.
NASA Keeping WatchNASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) constantly monitors all known NEOs to assess any potential impact risks.
Thankfully, 2022 MM1 doesn't fall under this category.
NASA tracks asteroid 2022 MM1's passage near Earth on June 28.
NASA is tracking a 120-foot (37-metre) wide asteroid named 2022 MM1, which will make a close approach to Earth this weekend. While the space rock , roughly the size of an airplane, will zoom past our planet at a scorching speed of 39,295 kilometres per hour (24,418 miles per hour) on June 28, 2024, at 00:16 UTC (translating to 5:46 AM IST for viewers in India), it will pose no danger. The safe distance between Earth and 2022 MM1 at its closest approach will be a comfortable 2.9 million kilometres (1.8 million miles) – roughly seven times the Earth-Moon distance.
NASA Keeping Watch
NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) constantly monitors all known NEOs to assess any potential impact risks. While most NEOs pose no threat, a small fraction – those larger than 460 feet (140 metres) and with orbits that bring them closer than 4.6 million miles (7.5 million kilometres) from Earth – are classified as "potentially hazardous." Thankfully, 2022 MM1 doesn't fall under this category.
How NASA Tracks Asteroids
Data on asteroids comes from a global network of observatories, including professional facilities funded by NASA like Pan-STARRS and NEOWISE, along with valuable contributions from dedicated amateur astronomers. This combined effort allows scientists to precisely map the orbits of NEOs and predict their future trajectories. Additionally, powerful radar technology helps the agency determine an asteroid's size, shape, and composition.
While this upcoming encounter is nothing to worry about, it highlights the importance of planetary defense. NASA is actively developing missions and technologies to enhance our ability to identify and potentially deflect future threats. The future NEO Surveyor mission, launching in 2028, will be instrumental in this endeavour, allowing us to spot potential threats much earlier.
So, while this asteroid may sound a bit alarming, rest assured that space agencies like NASA are keeping a watchful eye and continuously working to protect our planet.
