NASA Reveals Details of Asteroid the Size of an Aircraft Set to Pass Earth Today
In September of last year, NASA conducted the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), where they intentionally crashed a spacecraft into the Dimorphos asteroid to alter its trajectory. This groundbreaking test aimed to safeguard Earth from potential asteroid collisions in the future. The European Space Agency’s Hera spacecraft will now examine the consequences of the collision and even capture images of the asteroid’s internal structure when it is launched in 2024.
Although not expected to hit Earth, NASA has issued a warning about an asteroid that will collide with nearby Earth today.
Asteroid 2023 PQ
The asteroid, named Asteroid 2023 PQ, is heading towards Earth and could make its closest approach to the planet today, August 14. NASA revealed these shocking details after tracking the asteroid’s orbit using its various satellites as well as space and ground. based telescopes. According to the details, Asteroid 2023 PQ is expected to make its closest approach to the planet at a distance of 756,000 kilometers. It is already heading towards Earth at a speed of 53,308 kilometers per hour, according to NASA.
This space rock belongs to the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids, which are space rocks that pass through the Earth and whose semi-major axes are larger than the Earth’s axis. These asteroids are named after the huge 1862 Apollo asteroid discovered by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth in the 1930s.
How big is it?
Despite the proximity of the asteroid, it is not a potentially dangerous asteroid. In terms of size, Asteroid 2023 PQ is nearly 110 feet across, making it almost the size of an airplane. According to NASA, the asteroid would have to be at least 96 kilometers wide to end all life on Earth. However, the asteroid is still large enough to cause some degree of damage, especially if it falls in populated areas.
Space rock hits a woman in France
On July 6th, a meteor crashed down and hit a woman who was sipping coffee on her terrace! According to a report by the local French newspaper Les Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace, a meteor that bounced off the roof hit a woman sitting on her terrace in the village of Alsace in eastern France.
He later had the rock examined by a geologist named Dr. Thierry Rebmann, who confirmed that it was indeed a meteorite from space!