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July has seen not less than 10 asteroids fly by earth. While almost all the asteroids were classified as Near Earth Asteroids(NEA’s), this particular asteroid is the closest any space object has approached earth in the past 10 years. NASA has issued an alert for Asteroid (NEO) 2024 MH1, which is fast approaching the earth and is scheduled to pass by earth on July 26. It is moving with a relative speed of 20,916 km/hr.
It has been reported that this asteroid will be at a distance of just 1,796,166 kilometers at its closest approach to earth. This distance is approximately 4.7 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon. While this is dangerously close to earth, it poses no immediate threat, according to the scientists.
Belonging to the Apollo class of asteroids, this rock is 91 miles(28 meters) in diameter, i.e., almost the size of an airplane. If an asteroid of this size is to impact earth it might cause regional damage. Passing so close to the earth it will help scientists to uncover the composition of this rock, which is a mystery as of yet.
The current visual magnitude of 2024 MH1 is very dim and hence will only be visible through high class space equipment and long exposure techniques. Another asteroid is due to pass by earth on July 26. This one known as 2011 AM24 is 880 feet in size and will be 4,010,000 million miles from earth at its nearest point. It is moving at a speed of 22320 km/hr.
Currently there are 1,362,002 known asteroids- whose size varies from 3 feet(1 meter) to 329 miles(530 kilometers). The asteroids which approach Earth are monitored by NASA and are computed by Center for Near Earth Object Studies(CNEOS). The scientists monitor these space bodies to protect Earth from any threat from them and also to study the composition and structure of the celestial body. The study can help scientists unveil much more about space and the planets.
NASA not only monitors but also is working on a system that can protect Earthlings from any threat of impact from these celestial objects who are frequently passing by our planet. One of these missions is the DART mission whose aim is to deflect an asteroid from its path by destroying it. On September 26, 2024, DART managed to smash into a 560 feet asteroid called Dimorphos. It successfully demonstrated that it was capable of deflecting a hazardous asteroid, if one ever attempts to impact earth.
Read Next: Can an artificial satellite fall on Earth? What happens next
It has been reported that this asteroid will be at a distance of just 1,796,166 kilometers at its closest approach to earth. This distance is approximately 4.7 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon. While this is dangerously close to earth, it poses no immediate threat, according to the scientists.
Belonging to the Apollo class of asteroids, this rock is 91 miles(28 meters) in diameter, i.e., almost the size of an airplane. If an asteroid of this size is to impact earth it might cause regional damage. Passing so close to the earth it will help scientists to uncover the composition of this rock, which is a mystery as of yet.
The current visual magnitude of 2024 MH1 is very dim and hence will only be visible through high class space equipment and long exposure techniques. Another asteroid is due to pass by earth on July 26. This one known as 2011 AM24 is 880 feet in size and will be 4,010,000 million miles from earth at its nearest point. It is moving at a speed of 22320 km/hr.
Currently there are 1,362,002 known asteroids- whose size varies from 3 feet(1 meter) to 329 miles(530 kilometers). The asteroids which approach Earth are monitored by NASA and are computed by Center for Near Earth Object Studies(CNEOS). The scientists monitor these space bodies to protect Earth from any threat from them and also to study the composition and structure of the celestial body. The study can help scientists unveil much more about space and the planets.
NASA not only monitors but also is working on a system that can protect Earthlings from any threat of impact from these celestial objects who are frequently passing by our planet. One of these missions is the DART mission whose aim is to deflect an asteroid from its path by destroying it. On September 26, 2024, DART managed to smash into a 560 feet asteroid called Dimorphos. It successfully demonstrated that it was capable of deflecting a hazardous asteroid, if one ever attempts to impact earth.
Read Next: Can an artificial satellite fall on Earth? What happens next
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