# 130-foot asteroid to pass Earth today, reveals NASA; Check speed, size and other details | Tech News (HT Tech) > NASA says a close encounter with a 130-foot asteroid is expected to take place today, January 23. Know its speed, size, distance of approach, and more, as per the US Space Agency. # 130-foot asteroid to pass Earth today, reveals NASA; Check speed, size and other details ## NASA says a close encounter with a 130-foot asteroid is expected to take place today, January 23. Know its speed, size, distance of approach, and more, as per the US Space Agency. Jan 23 2024, 10:14 IST ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook.png) ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook-hover.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Share.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Shareclicked.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp-hover.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter-hover.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook-hover.png) ![Bookmark](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmark.png) ![Bookmarked](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmarked.png) ![asteroid](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2024/01/23/1600x900/zz_1698729446477_1705984996208.png) ![icon](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/imageviewall.png) Asteroid 2021 BL3 belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids, according to NASA. Check details. (Pixabay) ![Author Photo](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HTTech-new-circle-logo.png) ### By HT TECH There have been many instances of asteroids passing by Earth in the last few weeks. Just yesterday, a 45 feet wide asteroid flew past the planet at a distance of approximately 3 million kilometers. Due to such close calls with asteroids, NASA, ESA, and other space agencies have developed technology to track these space rocks in their orbits, and even deflect them in case a potential impact scenario develops. Using its tech, NASA has now shed light on an asteroid that is expected to pass Earth today, January 23. Know all about this close approach. ## Asteroid 2021 BL3: Speed, size, distance, and more As per the details issued by NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), the asteroid has been designated as Asteroid 2021 BL3. Asteroid 2021 BL3 is expected to pass Earth at a distance of approximately 6.6 million kilometers today. It is already travelling towards Earth in its orbit at 84220 kilometers per hour which is even faster than most space shuttles! This space rock belongs to the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids, which are Earth-crossing space rocks with semi-major axes larger than Earth's. These asteroids are named after the humongous 1862 Apollo asteroid, discovered by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth in the 1930s. Also read click here. According to NASA, this is not the first time that Asteroid 2021 BL3 has come close to Earth. It first passed the planet on February 17, 1979, at a distance of approximately 74 million kilometers. After today, it will pass the planet at a distance of 24 million kilometers on January 20, 2027. ## How big is it? Asteroid 2021 BL3 is almost the size of a massive aircraft, with a width of nearly 130 feet! However, it has been deemed non-threatening and has not been classified as a Potentially Hazardous Object, meaning that it does not pose a danger to Earth. ## Also read other top stories today: Worried AI will take your job? AI can’t replace the majority of jobs right now in cost-effective ways, says a study that sought to address fears about AI replacing humans in a swath of industries. Know what it really means here. Towards A Safer AI! No technology since nuclear fission will shape our collective future quite like artificial intelligence, so it’s paramount AI systems are safe, secure, trustworthy and socially responsible. Dive in here. Did AI Really Supercharge Microsoft? Was there a revolution? AI functionality, even really good AI functionality, is no silver bullet that can turn around an ailing product. Check out the reality here. One more thing! We are now on WhatsApp Channels! 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