NASA warns against 368-foot asteroid speeding towards Earth

NASA has sounded the alarm on a significant asteroid hurtling towards Earth, dubbed "2015 KJ19." This colossal space rock measures 368 feet (112 meters) in size and races through space at an astonishing speed of 83,175 kilometers per hour. Scheduled for its closest approach on May 14, 2024, at 02:43 UTC (08:13 AM IST for those in India), it will pass within approximately 6 million kilometers of our planet.While seemingly vast to human perception, in the grand scale of space, this distance is merely a hair's breadth.Belonging to the Apollo group of asteroids , notorious for intersecting Earth's path, 2015 KJ19 presents an awe-inspiring spectacle. Estimated to be the size of a building, it captures the imagination of skywatchers worldwide. Despite its impressive speed, there's no cause for alarm as it will maintain a safe distance of 6 million kilometers during its close encounter, equivalent to 15 times the distance between Earth and the Moon.Thankfully, NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) diligently tracks asteroids and comets to assess any potential impact threats. While 2015 KJ19 falls outside the designated "potentially hazardous" zone, CNEOS relies on a global network of observatories and contributions from amateur astronomers to precisely determine the orbital paths of near-Earth objects. Additionally, powerful observatories like Pan-STARRS and NEOWISE aid in tracking these celestial bodies, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their movements.Although the asteroid may be too faint to be visible to the naked eye, astronomy enthusiasts armed with telescopes may have the opportunity to observe it during its close approach. As 2015 KJ19 ventures through space, it serves as a reminder of the awe-inspiring wonders of the cosmos and the importance of continued vigilance in monitoring potential impact threats.