“Potentially dangerous”
Huge asteroids fly close to Earth
12/03/2024 – 11:32 a.mReading time: 2 min.
These days two asteroids are racing past Earth within a short space of time. NASA classifies the celestial bodies as “potentially dangerous”.
The space authorities are currently aware of around 1.3 million asteroids – some of which are considered “potentially dangerous”. Two of these celestial bodies are flying past Earth these days. The asteroids will not impact Earth, but the events show how critically important it is indeed to monitor such near-Earth objects.
First, asteroid (447755) 2007 JX2 will fly past Earth today, december 3, at 11:16 p.m. The approximately 380 meter large chunk will pass the earth at a distance of around 0.0369 astronomical units (AU) – that is around 5.5 million kilometers or around 14.4 lunar distances. On average, the Earth’s satellite is around 384,400 kilometers away from Earth. The asteroid’s speed is estimated at 44,000 km/h.
According to NASA, nothing is known about the nature of (447755) 2007 JX2. It is probably a piece of rock. The celestial body was only discovered in May 2007.
Tomorrow, December 4th, another asteroid will come much closer to Earth than (447755) 2007 JX2. The celestial body, called 2020
The asteroid is around 360 meters large adn was only discovered in December 2020. 2020 XR is also classified as a “potentially dangerous asteroid” by NASA.
This is not the last visit of 2020 XR. Because the asteroid orbits around the sun like the Earth, the celestial body will fly past the Earth again in four years.Then, though, at a greater distance of around 28 million kilometers than now.
When it was discovered, the asteroid had a 1 in 11,000 chance of hitting Earth in 2028. later calculations from longer observations corrected the probability, so astronomers believe that 2020 XR will not pose a threat to Earth.
NASA constantly recalculates the orbits of asteroids. Any object that comes closer to Earth than 7.4 million kilometers and is larger than 150 meters – and can cause meaningful regional damage in the event of an impact – is called a “potentially hazardous object” by NASA.
What are the current challenges in detecting smaller asteroids that pose a potential threat to Earth?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Astrophysicist Dr. Emily Turner
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Turner. We’re thrilled to have you join us today to discuss the recent reports on huge asteroids that are flying close to Earth. Your insights are invaluable.
Dr. Emily Turner: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an intriguing topic.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. The article mentions “potentially dangerous” asteroids making close approaches to Earth. Can you explain what this means in a scientific context?
Dr. Turner: Absolutely. The term “potentially dangerous” typically refers to asteroids classified as Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). These are celestial bodies whose orbits bring them close to our planet, specifically within 1.3 AU (astronomical units) of the Sun. While many of these asteroids pass harmlessly, their proximity raises concerns about potential impacts.
Editor: Right. So, how frequently enough do these close encounters occur, and what size asteroid are we talking about that would be considered potentially dangerous?
Dr. Turner: Close encounters happen more frequently than many people realize. Multiple asteroids may pass by Earth each month, but only larger ones — usually over 140 meters in diameter — are classified as potentially hazardous.These larger bodies can cause significant damage if they were to collide with Earth.
Editor: That’s quite alarming. What measures are currently in place to monitor these asteroids?
Dr. Turner: Several organizations, including NASA’s Near-Earth Object Observations program, actively track the trajectories of NEOs. they use ground-based telescopes and space missions to detect and monitor these objects, determining their size, speed, and trajectory to predict potential future paths.
Editor: What do you think about the effectiveness of these monitoring systems? Are they sufficient to give us enough warning?
Dr. Turner: The systems in place are quite effective for detection and tracking,but there are still some challenges. As an example, smaller asteroids are harder to detect, and there can be blind spots in our observational tools.Ideally, we aim for a warning time span of days to years for any potential impact threats. Continuous improvements in technology will help fill gaps in our current monitoring systems.
Editor: Fascinating. If one of these potentially hazardous asteroids were on a collision course with Earth, what options do we have for mitigating the threat?
Dr. Turner: There are a few strategies scientists and engineers are exploring. one is deflection — altering the asteroid’s trajectory using kinetic impactors, nuclear devices, or gravitational tractors. Though, these are more theoretical right now. There’s also the option of evacuation and emergency preparedness, but that’s much more complex and wouldn’t be feasible for larger impacts.
Editor: It sounds like there’s a lot of ongoing research in this field. What’s on the horizon for asteroid detection and planetary defense?
Dr. Turner: Yes! we’re seeing increased investment and interest in planetary defense. Future missions, such as NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test), aim to test our ability to change an asteroid’s course. International cooperation on monitoring efforts and sharing data will also be crucial for developing effective responses.
Editor: Thank you, dr. Turner, for shedding light on this crucial subject. as we move forward, I think awareness will be key. Is there anything you’d like to leave our readers with?
Dr. Turner: Just a message of reassurance. Humanity has a growing understanding of these cosmic threats, and with continued research and collaboration, we’re better equipped than ever to defend our planet.Keeping the conversation about asteroid threats alive will only strengthen our defenses.
Editor: Wise words indeed! Thank you again, Dr. Turner, for your time and expertise. We look forward to your next insights!
Dr. Turner: Thank you for having me! I enjoyed our conversation.