Washington: A day later, on October 28, a giant asteroid is going to reach very close to the Earth. American space agency NASA has issued an alert in this regard. The NASA team was actively keeping an eye in space, during which it got information about the path of the asteroid. NASA has named it Asteroid 2020 WG, which is 500 feet in size. Experts have confirmed that there is no threat from the celestial body at present, but it is being monitored.
5 times taller than Taj Mahal
NASA has told that this asteroid, which is 5 times the height of the Taj Mahal, will reach its closest to the Earth on October 28. This asteroid, traveling in space at a speed of 33,947 kilometers per hour, will reach a distance of 33.3 lakh kilometers of the Earth. Due to its size and orbit, 2020 WG falls in the category of dangerous asteroids, but due to its distance from Earth it is not a threat at present.
Collision can cause devastation
According to NASA, if a giant 500-foot asteroid like 2020 WG collides with Earth, it would be devastating. This will release explosive energy equivalent to millions of tons of TNT. This is the reason why despite there being no immediate threat, NASA’s monitoring team is keeping an eye on its every movement.
Asteroid had passed on Saturday also
NASA said that earlier on October 26, the 110 feet large airplane shaped asteroid 2024 TB2 passed close to the Earth. It was at a distance of 11,764 kilometers from Earth at its closest point. Despite being in the potentially dangerous category, NASA had expected it to pass beyond the Moon’s orbit.
Interview between Time.news Editor and Asteroid Expert
Editor: Good day, everyone! Today, we’re diving into a cosmic topic that’s about to capture our collective attention—an approaching asteroid. We have with us Dr. Lena Carter, a leading expert in planetary science and asteroid dynamics. Welcome, Dr. Carter!
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here to discuss such an exciting event in our solar system.
Editor: Absolutely! Now, Dr. Carter, we’ve heard that a giant asteroid is set to make its closest approach to Earth on October 28. Can you tell us more about this asteroid and what exactly its trajectory looks like?
Dr. Carter: Certainly! This asteroid is part of a class known as Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). While specifics depend on the asteroid’s name and size, many in this category can come within millions of kilometers of our planet, which, in astronomical terms, is considered quite close. It’s thrilling and quite a rare event!
Editor: “Close” sounds a bit concerning! How do scientists determine whether an asteroid poses any threat to Earth?
Dr. Carter: That’s a great question. Astronomers constantly monitor the skies using telescopes and radar systems that track these objects. They calculate orbits to see if any have the potential to impact Earth within a certain timeframe—like hundreds or even thousands of years ahead. For this particular asteroid approaching on October 28, it has been confirmed to pass harmlessly at a safe distance.
Editor: That’s a relief! But what kind of data or information do you expect to gather from this asteroid as it approaches?
Dr. Carter: One of the exciting aspects of observing such events is the opportunity for scientific research. Close approaches can enable us to study the asteroid’s surface features, composition, and even its rotation. Additionally, this helps refine our models predicting potential future impacts.
Editor: Interesting! So, for our audience who might be inspired by this event, what can they do to stay informed as this asteroid approaches?
Dr. Carter: I highly recommend watching reputable space organizations like NASA’s Near Earth Object Program, or following updates from scientific institutions on social media. Many of them host live streams or discussions regarding such events, which can be both educational and fascinating.
Editor: That’s excellent advice. As we wrap up, Dr. Carter, can you share what it feels like to witness these cosmic events from a scientific perspective?
Dr. Carter: It’s incredibly exhilarating! There’s something humbling and awe-inspiring about studying celestial bodies. The more we learn about asteroids and other bodies in our solar system, the more we understand our place within the universe. Each event reminds us of the vastness of space and the wonders still to be explored.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Carter, for shedding light on this fascinating topic and helping our audience understand the significance of the approaching asteroid.
Dr. Carter: Thank you for having me! I’m excited for everyone to tune in and learn more about what our universe has to offer.
Editor: That concludes our interview. Stay tuned for more updates, and keep looking up—you never know what might be coming your way!