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NASA has issued an alert about an asteroid(NF 2024) passing by earth at a speed of 73,055 km/hr. This asteroid is approximately 67 meters(220 foot) in length and is estimated to make an approach to earth on July 17 at around 04:58 PM IST(11:28 UTC). The space agency has released a list of asteroids that will pass Earth in the next 8-9 days. However, NF 2024 is the biggest of these asteroids.
Can it harm us in any way?
According to NASA, only asteroids or other celestial projects that are more than 150 meters in size and pass by earth at a distance of less than 4.6 million miles. NF 2024 is comparatively smaller and doesn’t seem to alarm the scientists yet. However, according to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory data the closest it will come to earth is by 3 million miles.
Apollo Asteroids
NF 2024 is a part of the Apollo group of asteroids. Apollo asteroids are near earth asteroids that revolve around the sun. It has taken its name from the first asteroid of such type ever discovered- the 1862 Apollo. This was discovered by Karl Reinmuth in the 1930’s. As of November 2023, there are 18,874 known Apollo asteroids.
More in line
NASA continuously tracks these near earth celestial objects and issues regular reports about them. Along with NF 2024, NASA has issued a report stating that four more asteroids will come in close contact with earth. On July 16 Asteroid BY15 is scheduled to pass by earth and will be 3.85 million miles from Earth at its closest point. Asteroid NJ3 is an asteroid that is just 47 meters in size but will come as close as 762,000 miles from earth. It will pass by on July 17th. Another asteroid- Asteroid MG1, is 55 meters in length and will be 2.64 million miles away from earth.
DART Mission
NASA analyzes and records the patterns, movements of these asteroids to study them closely. With the data they are building various asteroid destruction technology and management systems to minimize the threat from any such asteroids that can be potentially hazardous. One of such systems is the DART mission. This is an asteroid deflection system which changes the motion in space through kinetic impact.
Can it harm us in any way?
According to NASA, only asteroids or other celestial projects that are more than 150 meters in size and pass by earth at a distance of less than 4.6 million miles. NF 2024 is comparatively smaller and doesn’t seem to alarm the scientists yet. However, according to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory data the closest it will come to earth is by 3 million miles.
Apollo Asteroids
NF 2024 is a part of the Apollo group of asteroids. Apollo asteroids are near earth asteroids that revolve around the sun. It has taken its name from the first asteroid of such type ever discovered- the 1862 Apollo. This was discovered by Karl Reinmuth in the 1930’s. As of November 2023, there are 18,874 known Apollo asteroids.
More in line
NASA continuously tracks these near earth celestial objects and issues regular reports about them. Along with NF 2024, NASA has issued a report stating that four more asteroids will come in close contact with earth. On July 16 Asteroid BY15 is scheduled to pass by earth and will be 3.85 million miles from Earth at its closest point. Asteroid NJ3 is an asteroid that is just 47 meters in size but will come as close as 762,000 miles from earth. It will pass by on July 17th. Another asteroid- Asteroid MG1, is 55 meters in length and will be 2.64 million miles away from earth.
DART Mission
NASA analyzes and records the patterns, movements of these asteroids to study them closely. With the data they are building various asteroid destruction technology and management systems to minimize the threat from any such asteroids that can be potentially hazardous. One of such systems is the DART mission. This is an asteroid deflection system which changes the motion in space through kinetic impact.
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