Close encounter: Massive asteroid the size of a skyscraper to fly past Earth today

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A world-ending celestial object strikes the Earth every single few million years. The asteroids that travel all over the Solar in their elliptical paths also rotate, sometimes in a disorderly method, in accordance to NASA. Colossal asteroids have played a important role in major historical incidents, these as the Chelyabinsk tragedy that resulted in a lot of folks obtaining wounded, as nicely as the asteroid that brought about the extinction of dinosaurs hundreds of thousands of years back. In result, when asteroids have collided with Earth, they have experienced a profound effect on life.

Now, NASA and other room companies have issued an alert from an asteroid which is set to make a close tactic with Earth nowadays, February 22.

Asteroid 2023 AA2 aspects

Asteroid 2023 AA2 is now heading in direction of Earth and is projected to narrowly keep away from colliding with the earth on February 22. NASA estimates that it will occur closest to Earth at a distance of just 6.6 million kilometers and is presently travelling at a terrifying pace of 36523 kilometers per hour. The Planetary Protection Coordination Office environment at NASA has cautioned that Asteroid 2023 AA2 is huge, measuring approximately 450 feet across, which is equivalent to the measurement of a skyscraper.

Forms of asteroids

The three major classifications of asteroids are C-variety, S-style, and M-form. C-variety asteroids, which are composed mainly of carbon-prosperous substances, are the most frequent. S-type asteroids, which are designed up predominantly of silicate minerals, are fewer widespread. M-style asteroids, which are primarily composed of metal, are the minimum prevalent.

Investigation on asteroids is important since it can offer worthwhile facts on the early phases of the photo voltaic system and planetary development. On top of that, these celestial bodies might consist of handy methods this sort of as metals and water, which could be utilized in forthcoming room missions.

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Resource backlink Today, the Earth is in for a close encounter with a massive asteroid. Dubbed ‘2021 GW4’, the object is estimated to be 170 meters in diameter, approximately the size of a skyscraper.

The asteroid will travel at a speed of 34,000 miles per hour as it passes by Earth. In cosmic terms, this is a relatively close approach for an asteroid of this magnitude, passing just one-fifth of the distance from Earth to the Moon. To put this in perspective, this is around four times as close as the Moon is from Earth.

Fortunately, there is no risk of the asteroid hitting or affecting Earth in any form, as all trajectories show that the object will safely pass by our planet.

The size of the asteroid makes it visible, potentially even with basic binoculars. Skywatchers in the Northern Hemisphere will have the best view of the passing asteroid, with peak visibility expected over the Atlantic Ocean on late afternoon today.

2021 GW4 is classified as an Apollo-type Near Earth Object, so-called because they have an orbit around the Sun which intersects with Earth’s orbit. This is the first close approach of 2021 GW4, although it is expected to give us multiple fly-bys in the coming years.

The close approach of 2021 GW4 is an exciting opportunity for the scientific community. Telescopes around the world will be observing the asteroid and its characteristics, from its surface to its motion in space, in an effort to better understand near earth objects. Excitingly, some of the world’s most powerful telescopes, from the Apache Point Observatory in the US to South Africa’s SALT telescope, will be surveying the object.

Not only does this mean that Earth’s inhabitants can marvel at a celestial spectator, but also gain a greater understanding of the objects in our cosmic neighbourhood – ones that could have a profound effect on the planet’s future.

Sources:

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/mar/20/skyscraper-sized-asteroid-to-fly-close-to-earth

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-56426398