As the cosmos continues to unravel its intricacies, Earth is likely to witness a rare celestial spectacle in the week ahead. A sequence of asteroids is all set to grace our cosmic community. Large Asteroids To Pass Earth This Week, likened in size to a FIFA-approved stadium. This celestial occasion, tracked diligently by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), brings a combination of awe and fascination. The celestial objects are all set to make their journey through the vastness of space, closed by Earth’s atmosphere.
Meet The Headliner: Asteroid 2008 OS7
First on the rundown is the grandiose Asteroid 2008 OS7, a divine behemoth that previously grabbed the attention of NASA in 2008. This colossal space rock is going to make its nearby strategy to Earth on February 2, 2024, a ways off of 1.77 million miles – a short distance away in cosmic expressions. The significance of this occasion is accentuated through its length, comparable to a FIFA-authorized stadium, reminding us of the sheer scale and unpredictability of celestial bodies hurtling through space.
The Stellar Lineup – List Of Large Asteroids To Pass Earth This Week
Yet, Asteroid 2008 OS7 isn’t always the sole superstar of this cosmic show. Four other asteroids, various in size from that of a house to a plane, are also slated to make their appearances. Let’s take a closer look at this stellar lineup:
Sunday (January 29): Asteroid 2024 AU4
- Diameter: Approximately 260 ft
- Close Approach: A secure distance of 3.92 million miles
Tuesday (January 31): Asteroid 2007 EG
- Size: Roughly equivalent to an airplane
- Close Approach: A bit nearer, at 3.8 million miles
Thursday (February 2)
- Morning Show: Asteroid 2024 BY
- Size: About the size of a house
- Close Approach: Whizzing by at 1.57 million miles
Afternoon Feature: Asteroid 2003 BM4
- Size: Also airplane-sized
- Close Approach: Sailing by at 2.06 million miles
To position those distances in perspective, the average gap between Earth and the moon is around 239,000 miles, at the same time as the Earth-Sun distance extends to approximately 93 million miles, as in line with NASA measurements.
NASA’s Watchful Eye On Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)
NASA’s Asteroid Watch program meticulously video displays units for those celestial visitors, i.e., Asteroids. While most near-Earth objects (NEOs) have orbits that maintain a safe distance from our planet, certain ones, known as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs), demand heightened interest. PHAs are described by NASA as asteroids and comets larger than 500 feet that can come inside 4.7 million miles of Earth.
The God Of Chaos: Apophis
One such PHA is the infamous Apophis, aptly dubbed the ‘God of Chaos’ asteroid. This massive rock, measuring about 370 yards across, has intrigued scientists and skygazers alike. In a proactive move, NASA released OSIRIS-APEX in December, an undertaking designed to examine Apophis up close. The asteroid will make a traditionally close bypass via Earth in 2029, coming inside an insignificant 20,000 miles. NASA emphasizes that this occasion marks the nearest technique of an asteroid of such size to Earth because of the dawn of recorded history. Thus adding a further layer of importance to this celestial encounter.
Looking into the series of large asteroids to pass Earth this week, all we can imagine is a poignant reminder of the wonders and space uncertainties.
