NASA Alerts Public to Stadium-Sized Asteroid Approaching Earth

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is currently monitoring a large asteroid classified as “potentially hazardous”. This rocky body, designated 2024 ON, is expected to pass near Earth on Tuesday.

NASA’s analysis indicates that 2024 ON measures approximately 350 meters in length and 180 meters in width, equivalent to about 1,150 feet by 590 feet. This size surpasses earlier estimates, prompting scientists to categorize it as a “stadium-sized” asteroid.

Asteroid’s Close Encounter

As of Tuesday morning, 2024 ON was reported to be 621,000 miles away from Earth, which is relatively close in astronomical terms. According to Davide Farnocchia, a navigation engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, such close approaches by large asteroids occur only every five to ten years.

Historical Context of Asteroid Encounters

Farnocchia, who works at NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, noted that the last significant meteor to penetrate Earth’s atmosphere occurred over Russia in 2013. Furthermore, he mentioned that no asteroid of this size has impacted Earth since prehistoric times.

The concern surrounding 2024 ON stems from its size and close passage, but Farnocchia reassured the public that there is no risk of a collision. The asteroid would need to be much closer, within just a few hundred miles, to raise any alarms.

Risk Assessment and Monitoring

“We continuously monitor potential collision trajectories, not only for the upcoming years but extending into the next century,” Farnocchia explained. “There is no possibility of collision with Earth in the next hundred years related to this asteroid.” This thorough monitoring process is essential for public safety.

What’s on the Horizon?

2024 ON is not alone in its course. It is one of five asteroids that will pass by Earth within a two-day period. However, the other asteroids will maintain a much greater distance, ranging from 1.1 to 3.9 million miles away from our planet. Among these, three asteroids are around 51 feet in diameter, comparable to the size of an average house.

Additionally, another asteroid, known as 2013 FW13, boasts a diameter of about 510 feet and is scheduled to come within proximity of Earth on Wednesday.

NASA’s Asteroid Watch Dashboard

To keep the public informed, NASA utilizes its Asteroid Watch Dashboard. This platform tracks asteroids and comets expected to approach Earth closely. According to reports, 2024 ON was traveling at an impressive speed of 8.8 kilometers per second, roughly equivalent to nearly 20,000 miles per hour.

The dashboard provides critical information, including the date of the closest approach, approximate size of the asteroid, relative size comparisons, and its distance from Earth during each encounter. It highlights significant events where objects larger than 150 meters come within 4.6 million miles of Earth, categorizing them as potentially hazardous.

Upcoming Asteroid Encounters: What You Need to Know

Over the next few days, space enthusiasts and scientists alike will closely monitor these asteroids’ trajectories. With NASA’s commitment to ongoing research and surveillance, the public can remain well-informed about these celestial events. The agency’s diligence ultimately enhances our understanding of near-Earth objects and safeguards our planet.