NASA has warned that the 210 feet high asteroid 2019 NJ is coming towards Earth at a speed of 36,000 kilometers per hour.
NASA has warned about a 210 feet asteroid coming towards the Earth at a great speed.
A massive asteroid, 210 feet (64 meters) wide, is speeding toward Earth and will make its closest approach to Earth later this month. Space rockThe asteroid, called 2019 NJ, belongs to the Amor group, known for their orbits that sometimes bring them close to our planet. Moving at a speed of 36,386 kilometers per hour (22,549 mph), 2019 NJ will fly past Earth on June 27, 2024 at 18:24 UTC (which is equivalent to 11:54 PM IST on June 27) at a safe distance of 6.6 million kilometers (4.1 million miles).
Although the size of the asteroid is certainly huge, its trajectory ensures that it will pass safely near our planet without posing any threat.
Tracking space rocks
NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) continuously monitors all known near-Earth objects, including asteroids and comets, to assess the threat of any potential impact. Asteroids classified as “potentially hazardous” are those that are larger than 460 feet (140 meters) in diameter and whose orbits bring them within 4.6 million miles (7.5 million kilometers) of Earth.
Data on near-Earth objects come from a variety of sources, including professional observatories such as NASA-funded Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, and NEOWISE, as well as contributions from dedicated amateur astronomers around the world. Additionally, NASA's planetary radar projects play a vital role in gathering detailed information about these celestial bodies.
The upcoming close approach of 2019 NJ is a valuable reminder of ongoing efforts to track and understand near-Earth objects. While this particular asteroid is not a threat, continued monitoring ensures we are prepared for any potential future threats from space.