NBD, a Huge Asteroid Flies Past Earth This Month
Giant asteroids do not often collide with our planet, but from time to time they sweep a relatively close distance only to disappear into space void. Case in point: Another asteroid intends to fly within what scientists call a “potentially dangerous” distance from the planet at the end of this month, and the vast majority of humanity will not know.
Should you be worried about a massive space rock that could theoretically lead to disaster if it hits land? No, don’t. But that doesn’t mean you should also ignore it.
When does asteroid 2016 AJ193 pass Earth?
According to EarthSky, an asteroid named 2016 AJ193 is just under a mile wide and travels at 58,538 miles per hour . Its closest collision with Earth will occur on Aug.23 at 11:10 am ET, and experts note that anyone who tries to spot an asteroid in the wild is more likely to do so before sunrise. If you are trying to catch a glimpse of this, you will have to use a telescope.
Despite being labeled “potentially dangerous” by NASA, EarthSky is quick to allay any fears of an impending apocalypse (at least from this particular asteroid) because it won’t hit Earth.
How close is the “near-Earth object”?
2016 AJ193 was first detected in 2016 by the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System at the Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii. It is classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO) due to its relatively close distance from our planet, but the criteria are actually in the millions, as NASA explains:
They approach the Earth’s orbit at a distance of 7.5 million kilometers (about 4.6 million miles). In comparison, when Mars and Earth are at their closest distance, they are about 53 million kilometers (about 33 million miles) apart.
Scientists are monitoring NEOs because asteroids and comets at such distances could theoretically orbit our planet, although this is a very rare occurrence. It’s all about mitigating the consequences if NEO ever poses a threat. The space agency writes: “Knowing the size, shape, mass, composition and structure of these objects helps determine the best way to deviate them from course if it finds itself on a path dangerous to Earth.”
As for this asteroid, it revolves around the Sun only every six years and will not return very close to Earth for another 65 years. So when you think about it this way, there is nothing to worry about at all.