[ad_1]
A recently discovered asteroid will make its closest approach to Earth this January 27. The asteroid, which is about the size of an airplane, will come closer to our planet than the moon, according to livescience.com.
You can witness this event through a live feed provided by the Virtual Telescope Project starting at 12:15 pm EST. Nasa has confirmed that the asteroid, named 2024 BJ, will reach its closest point to Earth at 12:30 pm EST.
Astronomers first identified the asteroid on January 17 and announced their findings the next day.The asteroid measures up to 121 feet wide (37 meters), and after careful calculations, scientists have concluded that it will pass by Earth safely without causing any harm.
Before reaching Earth, the asteroid will fly close to the moon at around 9 am EST. It will then speed past Earth approximately three and a half hours later, traveling at a speed of about 14,200 mph (22,850 km/h).
Despite its “very close encounter” with Earth, the Virtual Telescope Project assures that the rock poses no risk to our planet.
2024 BJ is classified as a near-Earth asteroid of the Apollo type. Its orbit is egg-shaped and intersects with that of Earth, bringing it closer to the sun before looping back towards the main asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter.
Scientists have already devised potential plans to deal with a hypothetical planet-threatening asteroid that could unexpectedly approach us, such as redirecting it with rockets or using nuclear weapons detonated in space.
However, hopefully, we will never have to put such measures to the test.
You can witness this event through a live feed provided by the Virtual Telescope Project starting at 12:15 pm EST. Nasa has confirmed that the asteroid, named 2024 BJ, will reach its closest point to Earth at 12:30 pm EST.
Astronomers first identified the asteroid on January 17 and announced their findings the next day.The asteroid measures up to 121 feet wide (37 meters), and after careful calculations, scientists have concluded that it will pass by Earth safely without causing any harm.
Before reaching Earth, the asteroid will fly close to the moon at around 9 am EST. It will then speed past Earth approximately three and a half hours later, traveling at a speed of about 14,200 mph (22,850 km/h).
Despite its “very close encounter” with Earth, the Virtual Telescope Project assures that the rock poses no risk to our planet.
2024 BJ is classified as a near-Earth asteroid of the Apollo type. Its orbit is egg-shaped and intersects with that of Earth, bringing it closer to the sun before looping back towards the main asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter.
Scientists have already devised potential plans to deal with a hypothetical planet-threatening asteroid that could unexpectedly approach us, such as redirecting it with rockets or using nuclear weapons detonated in space.
However, hopefully, we will never have to put such measures to the test.
[ad_2]
Source link