Asteroid 2022 QF2 zooming towards Earth TODAY, telescope shows; Know how dangerous it is

Is Asteroid 2022 QF2, which is going to make its closest approach to planet Earth today, dangerous? Here is all we need to know.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Sep 11 2022, 19:18 IST

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What is an Asteroid? NASA defines what these dangerous objects in sky are

Asteroids — 1/5 An asteroid is a small, rocky object hurtling through the sky. When seen in a telescope, an asteroid appears as a point of light, according to NASA. Most asteroids are found in a ring between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter called the asteroid belt. (Pixabay)

Asteroid and Earth — 2/5 Asteroids have several shapes, they may be spherical, elongated, or oddly shaped. Some asteroids even have their own satellites! Asteroids also vary in size. From Vesta, the largest at about 530 kilometers in diameter, to asteroids that are less than 10 meters in diameter, they can be found in all shapes and sizes. (Pixabay)

3/5 Asteroids are also called minor planets. These celestial objects are the remains of the period during which our solar system formed, over 4.6 billion years ago. According to NASA, the current known asteroid count is 1,113,527. (HT_PRINT)

A dangerous asteroid is approaching Earth today, September 11! According to the information provided by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Small-Body database and Center For Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), departments of NASA, an asteroid named 2022 QF2 which is 140-foot wide is approaching Earth today. The asteroid was spotted on August 19, 2022 and will have a closest Earth approach of 45,40,000 MI/KM. Is the asteroid 2022 QF2 dangerous for Earth?

As per the information, the asteroid 2022 QF2 is currently not dangerous for our planet as it will make a safe passage across the Earth and will not strike us. However, the Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) telescope is keeping a vigilant eye on the space rock, so if something goes wrong, the information will be provided immediately.

About NEOWISE

The Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) is a tech marvel telescope run by NASA. It is an infrared astronomy space telescope which has been tasked with finding as many asteroids in the solar system as possible. The telescope has spotted the asteroid 2002 QF2.

About Asteroids

An asteroid is a relatively small, inactive body orbiting the Sun. Asteroids are typically composed of rocky, dusty, and metallic materials. Most orbit within the main asteroid belt, between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, but some follow paths that circulate into the inner solar system (including near-Earth asteroids), while others remain outside the orbit of Neptune.

It is very rare that any asteroid is able to reach the surface of the Earth as it starts burning as soon as it enters the atmospheric layer of the planet. The size of the asteroid needs to be very big to be able to survive the fire and reach Earth's surface.

However, if any asteroid happens to strike our planet, it can easily destroy the place or area it strikes with the impact. Further, the shockwaves and seismic activities caused by it will generate a plethora of problems for nearby regions as well.

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First Published Date: 11 Sep, 14:08 IST