Asteroid 2012 KP24 is on its way to a close encounter with Earth, NASA says
Did you know that scientists study asteroids to learn more about the early solar system and the conditions that existed when the planets formed? Asteroids can also provide valuable natural resources such as water, minerals and other minerals. One of these discoveries was made by studying an asteroid. Until now, it was believed that water has existed on Earth since ancient times. However, a recent study made a surprising discovery that challenges this idea. The study revealed that the water may have originated from asteroids.
Over the past few years, there have been several incidents of asteroids coming too close to our planet, causing a potential threat. Using its advanced technology, NASA has issued a warning about an asteroid that is expected to approach its closest point today.
Details of asteroid 2012 KP24
NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office is responsible for observing the sky and observing various near-Earth objects (NEOs). The organization has issued a warning about an asteroid called Asteroid 2012 KP24. This Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) is expected to make its closest approach to Earth today, May 31.
Although this asteroid will come very close to the planet, it is not expected to hit the surface. According to NASA, asteroid 2012 KP24 will pass Earth at a distance of 3.9 million kilometers. It is already on its way to the planet, traveling at a whopping 44,476 kilometers per hour.
Asteroid 2012 KP24 is a member of the Apollo asteroid group and is nearly 58 feet in diameter, making it about the size of a house!
Asteroid impact in Canada
Amidst all the nearby asteroid misses, NASA revealed that an asteroid hit Earth last November! NASA observes these asteroids by examining data collected by various space-based and ground-based telescopes and observatories, such as Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, and the NEOWISE Telescope. However, this asteroid seems to have bypassed them all, and was discovered just hours before impact!
NASA revealed that a small asteroid lit up the sky as it flew over southern Ontario, Canada on Saturday, November 19. Shockingly, this 3-foot asteroid was discovered just 3.5 hours before impact! According to NASA, the asteroid probably burned up when it entered the planet’s atmosphere, scattering small meteorites along the southern shore of Lake Ontario.
