NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has confirmed that five asteroids will pass by Earth between October 26 and October 28, posing no threat to the planet.
NASA’s asteroid tracking data shows that five space rocks, including one the size of a tall building, are on course to safely pass near Earth over three days. Among these, the largest, designated 2020 WG, will reach its closest point to Earth on October 28. Measuring roughly 500 feet, comparable to a skyscraper, it will pass at a distance of about 3.3 million kilometers, posing no impact risk.
The five asteroids vary in size and distance, with each classified as safely distant by NASA. Besides 2020 WG, the three other significant asteroids, each comparable in size to a commercial airplane, include 2024 TB2, 2007 UT3, and 2016 BF1. Here’s a detailed look at each:
- 2024 TB2 and 2007 UT3: Both asteroids will make their closest approaches on October 26. 2024 TB2, approximately 34 meters wide, will pass within 731,000 kilometers, while 2007 UT3, about 22 meters in diameter, will pass at around 4.2 million kilometers.
- 2016 BF1: This 28-meter asteroid will pass Earth on October 27 at a distance of about 2.46 million kilometers.
The final object, 2024 UQ1, is the smallest of the group, measuring approximately 10 meters, or about the size of a city bus. It will pass Earth on October 28, coming closest among the five at a distance of 148,000 kilometers.
Asteroids, often referred to as “planetoids,” are rocky objects orbiting the Sun, primarily concentrated between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt. Some are remnants from the early solar system, while others, potentially originating from interstellar space, pass near Earth on various orbits. NASA regularly monitors near-Earth objects (NEOs) to assess any potential threat, especially given that an impact from a large asteroid could have catastrophic consequences.
Despite frequent flybys, NASA assures that most of these objects pose no risk to Earth. A network of telescopes, satellites, and space observatories enables the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to track thousands of NEOs. Scientists use this data to predict trajectories accurately and detect any significant shift in an asteroid’s path.
Asteroid monitoring has become increasingly sophisticated, with international space agencies developing planetary defense systems. Programs like NASA’s DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test), which successfully altered the path of a small asteroid in 2022, aim to further prepare humanity for any potential asteroid threat.
For the current flybys, NASA emphasizes there is no cause for concern, and the events will contribute valuable data to ongoing planetary research.
