Two asteroids, one nearly a mile wide and the other smaller but closer, recently passed by Earth, offering scientists valuable opportunities to study these space objects. Observations revealed interesting details about their structures and potential for binary systems.
ISRO Chairman S. Somanath has expressed India’s interest in participating in global initiatives to study and defend against asteroids. He highlighted the need for international cooperation and emphasized India’s capabilities in space exploration, including recent achievements like the Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 missions. India is looking to contribute to upcoming missions like the study of the asteroid Apophis in 2029, potentially providing instruments or support to joint missions led by NASA, ESA, and JAXA.
A skyscraper-sized asteroid will pass within three-quarters the average distance between Earth and the moon on Saturday, June 29. The asteroid, named 2024 MK, is estimated to be about 480 feet (146 meters) across and will be traveling at roughly 21,000 mph (34,000 km/h) during its closest approach. Although it poses no threat to Earth, NASA classifies it as a ‘potentially hazardous asteroid’ due to its size and orbit. The asteroid will zoom back out toward the asteroid belt and will not return until 2037.
NASA has confirmed that Asteroid 2024 KN1, measuring up to 88 feet in diameter, will safely pass Earth today, June 23, 2024. Despite its size, the asteroid will maintain a safe distance of 5.6 million kilometers. This news comes as other asteroids are also scheduled to make close approaches to Earth in the coming days.
NASA has announced that an asteroid, measuring up to 88 feet in diameter, will safely pass Earth on June 23rd, 2024. Classified as non-threatening, the asteroid will come within 5.6 million kilometers, roughly 14 times the distance to the moon. NASA continues to monitor potentially hazardous asteroids that could pose an impact risk to Earth.
NASA, along with FEMA and the Department of State Office of Space Affairs, conducted a large-scale simulation to test their response to a potential asteroid impact. The exercise focused on an asteroid with a 72% chance of hitting Earth within 14 years. While no known asteroids currently pose a threat, the exercise highlighted the importance of being prepared for such a scenario. NASA emphasizes that early detection is key, as it allows for more time to develop and implement mitigation strategies.
A massive asteroid, 2024 LJ, will safely pass Earth on June 22, coming within 2.1 million miles. While not a threat, NASA is closely monitoring its trajectory and properties, providing a rare opportunity to study a near-Earth object.
Scientists believe that the asteroid Kamo’oalewa, discovered in 2016, originated from a giant crater on the moon. The asteroid’s similar composition and orbit to the moon have led researchers to conclude that it may have broken off from the lunar surface millions of years ago. This discovery provides evidence of asteroids’ origins and suggests the existence of more similar celestial bodies in near-Earth space.
A speedy asteroid orbiting in time with Earth is likely to be a wayward chunk of the Moon. Scientists speculate they know exactly from which lunar crater it came from. A new study published in the journal Nature Astronomy reveals that when a mile-wide (1.6 kilometers) space rock hit the Moon, the near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamo’oalewa may have been flung into space, creating the Giordano Bruno crater. Kamo’oalewa’s size, age, and spin all match up with the 13.6-mile-wide (22 km) crater. Additionally, its light reflectance matches that of weathered lunar rock, and its crater sits on the far side of the Moon.
