Two asteroids roughly the size of airplanes are expected to make close approaches to Earth today.
Two asteroid s roughly the size of airplanes are expected to make close approaches to Earth today (April 12, 2024), according to NASA .
The first asteroid, dubbed 2024 GA2, is estimated to be 104 feet wide and travelling at a staggering 50,040 kilometres per hour.
It will zip past our planet at a distance of approximately 5.5 million kilometres, which is less than 15 times the Earth-Moon distance.
These frequent visitors have made close approaches to Earth and Mars in the past, with 2024 FX3 even venturing near Venus.
Two asteroids roughly the size of airplanes are expected to make close approaches to Earth today.
Two asteroid s roughly the size of airplanes are expected to make close approaches to Earth today (April 12, 2024), according to NASA . While these cosmic near misses shouldn't cause panic, they serve as a reminder of the importance of asteroid tracking and deflection efforts.
The first asteroid, dubbed 2024 GA2, is estimated to be 104 feet wide and travelling at a staggering 50,040 kilometres per hour. It will zip past our planet at a distance of approximately 5.5 million kilometres, which is less than 15 times the Earth-Moon distance.
The second asteroid, named 2024 FX3, is slightly smaller at 93 feet wide and hurtling through space at 42,228 kilometres per hour. It will make a closer approach compared to 2024 GA2, coming within 3.65 million kilometres of Earth, or less than 10 lunar distances.
Both asteroids belong to the Apollo group, known for their orbits exceeding Earth's but occasionally intersecting our path around the Sun. These frequent visitors have made close approaches to Earth and Mars in the past, with 2024 FX3 even venturing near Venus. Notably, both asteroids were discovered just this year, highlighting the ongoing efforts in asteroid detection.
What If They Hit?
While these particular asteroids pose no immediate threat, we explore the hypothetical scenario of a similar-sized asteroid impact. Experts estimate such events occur roughly every 500 years. These asteroids, on the point of causing significant damage, would likely fragment upon entering Earth's atmosphere.
The resulting airburst, happening at an altitude of just 92 metres, would release energy equivalent to six megatons of TNT. Depending on the impact location, a major city could experience a devastating 223-decibel (dB) shockwave, leading to widespread destruction and potential casualties.
Planetary Defence: Deflecting the Threat
Space agencies worldwide recognise the potential dangers posed by asteroids. Early detection is crucial, as it allows for more efficient deflection strategies. NASA has already successfully tested a method using a kinetic impactor – essentially a spacecraft deliberately colliding with an asteroid to alter its trajectory.
Looking ahead, NASA aims to develop and demonstrate various deflection techniques. These include "gravity tractors," which utilise a spacecraft's gravitational pull to nudge an asteroid, "ion-beam shepherds" that employ focused ion beams for gradual deflection, and even nuclear explosives as a last resort.
The close approach of these two asteroids serves as a timely reminder of the ongoing efforts to track and potentially deflect Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). By continuously monitoring the skies and developing innovative defence strategies, we can safeguard our planet from future asteroid threats.
