Asteroids Zooming By: Get the Scoop on These Close Encounters!

According to NASA, asteroids are ancient celestial bodies that date back to the early formation of our solar system approximately 4.6 billion years ago. These space rocks revolve around the Sun and are primarily found in the asteroid belt, which is situated between Jupiter and Mars. Occasionally, the paths of these asteroids bring them near to Earth, a phenomenon referred to as a ‘Close approach’. NASA employs a range of space and ground-based telescopes to identify and monitor asteroids in the sky. Utilizing this advanced technology, the space agency has recently announced that not just one, but two asteroids will pass by Earth today, November 7, at remarkably close distances. Stay informed about this event.

1. Asteroid 2023 VB2

This space rock is already on its way, traveling at a speed of nearly 64884 kilometers per hour, which is almost as fast as the space shuttle! According to NASA, asteroid 2023 VB2 will pass Earth very close, only 32,800 kilometers away, which is 10 times closer than the Moon! For the uninitiated, the distance of the Moon from the Earth is 384,400 kilometers. It is one of the closest asteroid approaches of the year so far.

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.

Asteroid 2023 VB2 is nearly 25 feet across, making it almost the size of a car.

2. Asteroid 2023 VD2

According to the details, another asteroid, Asteroid VD2, is expected to pass the Earth at a distance of about 56,200 km, which is 6 times closer than the Moon! The asteroid flies at a speed of 29,204 kilometers per hour.

This space rock also belongs to Apollo’s group of Near-Earth Asteroids. In terms of size, it is almost the size of a car and is only 11 feet wide.

Both of these close approaches are just two of six asteroids predicted to make a close pass by Earth today. Fortunately, none of them are expected to hit Earth.

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