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NASA has issued a warning that an asteroid the size of an 88-feet airplane is heading fast towards Earth. NASA has issued a warning about asteroid 2024 KN1, which is set to make its closest approach to Earth on June 23, 2024 at 11:39 pm IST. Classified under the Amor group, the asteroid has a diameter of about 88 feet and will travel at a speed of about 16,500 kilometres per hour.
Despite its close approach, asteroid 2024 KN1 will safely pass Earth at a distance of 5.6 million kilometres, which is about 14 times the distance to the Moon.
NASA has classified asteroid 2024 KN1 as non-hazardous, stressing that it will not come close enough to cause any kind of impact. Most near-Earth objects, including objects like asteroid 2024 KN1, follow orbits that keep them safely away from our planet, rendering them harmless. However, NASA closely monitors a small fraction of asteroids known as potentially hazardous asteroids, which have orbits that could bring them within a certain distance of Earth, posing a risk of a potential impact.
To monitor these celestial bodies, NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) uses data from observatories around the world, including contributions from projects like Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, and NASA’s NEOWISE mission. Radar projects like JPL’s Goldstone Solar System Radar Group also play an important role in tracking these space rocks.
Ongoing monitoring efforts by astronomers, significantly supported by amateur contributions, play a vital role in understanding and monitoring these celestial bodies. This collaborative effort ensures early detection and assessment of any potential impact risk from near-Earth objects.
The upcoming close approach of asteroid 2024 KN1 provides scientists with another opportunity to study these fascinating objects in our solar system. As technology and observational capabilities continue to advance, our understanding of near-Earth objects and their trajectories continues to improve, increasing our ability to predict and mitigate any potential risks in the future.
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Published: June 22, 2024, 04:23 PM IST
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