According to NASA, a large 400-foot-wide asteroid will make its closest approach to Earth on July 29, in three days’ time. Know if it can hit Earth and what potential damage it could do.
Asteroid activity around Earth has been going strong lately. Just a week ago, NASA detected a 290-foot-wide asteroid passing by our planet. And now, an even larger asteroid will approach Earth at a much closer distance. According to NASA, a 400-foot-wide asteroid will approach Earth in just three days on July 29. For reference, it’s nearly twice the size of Qutub Minar located in New Delhi, 239 feet tall. . Its large size and close proximity have resulted in it being classified as a near-Earth object (NEO). Concerns are whether this asteroid could hit the planet because given its size it could cause massive destruction. So is there any chance of an asteroid strike? Read to find out.
According to the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a division of NASA, the asteroid is named 2016 CZ31. According to the naming convention of asteroids, the four digits represent the time when the asteroid was first discovered, and the two letters after that represent the month and day. For reference, this asteroid was discovered on February 5, 2016. According to recent observations, this 400 foot or 122 meter wide asteroid has been predicted to pass Earth at a distance of 2, 8 km. While this seems like a large distance, astronomically it’s a small number. But fortunately, at the time of appearance, the asteroid will make a safe journey past Earth.
NASA: An asteroid, almost twice the size of Qutub Minar, approaches Earth
According to NASA’s Small Object Database, the last time this asteroid came close to Earth was in 2015 and it won’t get that close until 2028. The asteroid is part of the asteroid belt. planet between Mars and Jupiter. At perihelion, it goes away from Jupiter’s orbit, and during perihelion it comes as close as Venus’s orbit, meaning it crosses four planets to complete one revolution. For asteroid enthusiasts, this is a unique opportunity to see the asteroid, as it won’t come close to Earth until 2110. Be aware, however, that you’ll need a telescope. powerful to see this asteroid clearly.
While for now, it seems the chances of an asteroid strike are slim, things could change in an instant. That’s why the Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) closely monitors all NEO asteroids for any deviations in its path that could make it a threat. for the Earth.
