An asteroid big enough to wipe out an entire city will fly between Earth and lunar orbit this weekend.This was reported by the planetary security services.
The proximity of the asteroid will provide astronomers with a unique opportunity to study it, since will fly just over 104,390 miles above Earthless than half the distance from here to the moon, so it would be visible with binoculars and small telescopes.
“There is no chance that this “urban killer” will hit the Earthbut its proximity provides an excellent opportunity for observations,” Richard Moissl, head of the European Space Agency’s planetary defense division, said in a statement.
Ordinary event, but not really
Yes, sure relatively often asteroids pass close to our planetNASA has reported that such a large object rarely comes this close to Earth, which happens about once every ten years.
The asteroid, named by scientists 2023 DZ2, was discovered a month ago. by amateur astronomers and is estimated to be between 40 and 90 meters in diameter.
The rocky object will pass within 320,000 miles of the Moon and then pass over the Indian Ocean at about 17,398 miles per hour on Friday night or Saturday, depending on geographic location.. It is assumed that the nearest point will be fixed at 19:51 (UTC), although this may vary.
As part of the Virtual Telescope project, the approach will be broadcast live on the Internet.
A kind of test for other asteroids
Asteroid 2023 DZ2 will no longer approach our planet until 2026. And although it initially seemed that there was a chance that it could crash into the Earth, scientists ruled this out.
According to NASA, astronomers from the International Asteroid Warning Network consider it good practice for planetary defense if a dangerous asteroid is approaching us.
planetary defense strategy
NASA and other coordinated space agencies are simultaneously studying all space objects that may pose a threat to the Earth.. The most famous test mission is DART, when NASA collided with the asteroid Dimorphos and changed its direction.
However, there is always the danger that measuring systems or astronomers will not be able to detect threats in time. Last January, a truck-sized asteroid 2023 BU passed just 2,236 miles from Earth. It had been discovered just a week before by an amateur astronomer.
JU (ap, Deutschlandfunk, zdf)
Source: La Opinion
Ashley Fitzgerald is an accomplished journalist in the field of technology. She currently works as a writer at 24 news breaker. With a deep understanding of the latest technology developments, Ashley’s writing provides readers with insightful analysis and unique perspectives on the industry.