Asteroid today: Space rock speeding towards Earth at a fearsome 60905 kmph | Tech News

Asteroid today: Space rock speeding towards Earth at a fearsome 60905 kmph

Travelling at a mind-blowing 60905 kmph, this asteroid today is set to make a close approach to Earth soon. NASA has revealed its distance and trajectory too.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Feb 15 2023, 09:52 IST
Colossal 2400-foot asteroid, 4 other space rocks to buzz Earth soon
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1/5 Asteroid 2023 BC8 - NASA has issued an alert against an asteroid named Asteroid 2023 BC8. The asteroid is expected to fly past Earth closely tomorrow, February 11, at a distance of 5 .9million kilometers. According to NASA, the asteroid is huge with a size of almost 160-foot across. This space rock is already on its way towards Earth, travelling at a staggering speed of 50564 kilometers per hour.  (NASA)
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2/5 Asteroid 2021 EP4 - A small 16 feet wide asteroid will fly past Earth by a very close margin on February 13. The asteroid, named Asteroid 2021 EP4, will make its closest approach with the planet at a distance of 7.2 million kilometers. The asteroid is travelling towards the planet at a blistering speed of 22107 kilometers per hour.  (NASA/JPL)
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3/5 Asteroid 2022 RG – Another asteroid named 2022 RG will make its closest approach to Earth on February 16, at a distance of 3.1 million kilometers. The asteroid, with a width of 78 feet, is travelling at a staggering speed of 10953 kilometers per hour towards the planet.  (Wikimedia Commons)
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4/5 Asteroid 2005 YY128 - NASA has issued an alert against another asteroid named Asteroid 2005 YY128. It is expected to fly past Earth closely on February 16 at a distance of 4.6 million kilometers. The asteroid is already on its way towards Earth, travelling at a blistering speed of 88735 kilometers per hour. This asteroid is absolutely massive with a width of almost 2400 feet, making it nearly as big as a bridge!  (Pixabay)
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5/5 Asteroid 2020 DG4 - The fifth asteroid which is set to make a close approach is named Asteroid 2020 DG4. It is heading for Earth and is expected to pass by the planet closely on February 17. Asteroid 2020 DG4 is already on its way towards us travelling at a fearsome speed of 24913 kilometers per hour. The asteroid, with a width between 20 feet and 45 feet, will make its closest approach to Earth at a distance of just 552,381 kilometers. (Pixabay)
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Know what NASA said about this menacing asteroid. (Pixabay)

To protect Earth against rogue asteroids that may impact the planet, NASA carried out its first planetary defense test called DART. The Double Asteroid Detection Test mission was to smash a spacecraft into the Dimorphos asteroid to deflect it away from its original path. This historic test was successful and the asteroid was actually deflected from its path, making the planet safe from potential asteroid impacts.

Having said that, this kind of measure needs time to prepare. It is still uncertain whether NASA can deploy such a startegy at short notice. For instance, new asteroids are being discovered frequently. That is why there is tremendous interest in the asteroids that approach Earth. And now, the latest asteroid today, is all set for its closest approach to Earth.

Asteroid 2023 CT1 key details

NASA has warned that an asteroid named Asteroid 2023 CT1 is headed for Earth and is expected to fly closely past the planet today, February 15. It will make its closest approach to Earth at a distance of just 838003 kilometers. NASA says it is already on its way, travelling at a staggering speed of 60905 kilometers per hour, which is much faster than a hypersonic ballistic missile!

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China to conduct planetary defense test

After NASA, China too is all set to conduct its very own asteroid deflection test by 2025. This is being done in a bid to equip themselves against potential asteroid dangers in the future, as part of its own planetary defense system. The Chinese National Space Administration will research the means of planetary defense systems that are capable of deflecting asteroids off course, according to a statement given by Wu Yanhua, deputy director of the China National Space Administration to China Central Television.

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First Published Date: 15 Feb, 09:52 IST
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