2023-04-25 19:02:00
Classified as a potentially hazardous space rock by the US space agency NASA, the 300-meter-long asteroid HV5 2006 is scheduled to pass (too) close to our planet tomorrow (Wednesday, April 26). The space rock, estimated to be 300 meters in diameter, will pass At a distance of 1.5 million or 6.3 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon and will move at a speed of 38,000 km/h.
While this is a fairly safe interval, in astronomical terms it is still considered a close pass. According to Dr. Susanna Kohler of the American Astronomical Society, HV5 2006 is considered rare because, on average, an asteroid this size or larger comes close to Earth only once a year. She explained to Fox news that even though the huge object will come close to our planet, we will still need special equipment to watch it.
An asteroid approaching the Earth, illustration (Photo: Reuters)
She continued and reassured the public, saying that NASA is aware of the asteroid’s exact location: “According to 260 observations spanning the last 17 years, astronomers are able to calculate the trajectory of HV5 2006, its past, present and future location – very precisely.” HV5 2006 It is one of 31,000 objects detected near Earth so far, and many believe there are more to be discovered somewhere in the darkness of space.
This is how we will know if an asteroid threatens the Earth (Photo: EngImage)
Any asteroid that passes within 30 million kilometers of Earth’s orbit is classified as a NEO, or according to NASA: “objects that may pose a risk”, and this if they are within 4.6 million kilometers of Earth’s orbit and their diameter exceeds 140 meters. So far , about 2,300 asteroids have been added to the “potential risk” list, and although none of them are too threatening, there is always the possibility that their orbits will change and that they will collide with Earth.
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