NASA reveals massive 420-foot asteroid approaching Earth; Find out its proximity
There has been a high number of asteroids passing near Earth recently, with up to four space rocks flying past in a single day. Although most of these asteroids do not pose a danger, it is important to track them to reduce uncertainties. NASA has shared information about a 420-foot wide asteroid that will have a close encounter with Earth tomorrow, March 23.
Asteroid 2024 EU4
Asteroid 2024 EU4 is just one of many space rocks orbiting the Sun’s main asteroid belt, which lies between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars. NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, or CNEOS, is responsible for tracking and classifying celestial bodies such as asteroids and comets. This organization has now revealed that asteroid 2024 EU4 will fly past Earth tomorrow at a distance of 7.2 million kilometers.
NASA also revealed that the asteroid is orbiting the Sun at a menacing speed of about 101,885 kilometers per hour. This is much faster than even the space shuttle! It is one of two asteroids set to make a close pass by Earth tomorrow, alongside asteroid 2024 EL4.
It 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?
The asteroid measures nearly 420 feet across. Thus, it can be compared to an entire building! Although the asteroid is not expected to hit Earth, it is still named a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) because of its proximity to the planet.
