NASA alert: Three asteroids to pass Earth by a narrow margin; Check speed, size and more | Tech News

NASA alert: Three asteroids to pass Earth by a narrow margin; Check speed, size and more

As many as three asteroids will pass Earth by a narrow margin today, NASA has revealed. From size, speed to distance of approach, know all about these close encounters.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Apr 02 2024, 10:09 IST
5 asteroids will pass Earth in the coming days, reveals NASA; Know the size, speed, and more
Asteroid
1/6 Asteroid 2024 ER4: The first asteroid on the list is Asteroid 2024 ER4, which will come close to Earth on March 17, 2024. The space rock is estimated to be 37 feet wide and moving at a speed of 29879 kilometres per hour. On the specified date, the asteroid 2024 EH will approach within 162,000 kilometres. (Pixabay)
Asteroid
2/6 Asteroid 2024 ER4: The first asteroid on the list is Asteroid 2024 ER4, which will come close to Earth on March 17, 2024. The space rock is estimated to be 37 feet wide and moving at a speed of 29879 kilometres per hour. On the specified date, the asteroid 2024 EH will approach within 162,000 kilometres. (Pixabay)
Asteroid
3/6 Asteroid 2024 EP3: The next asteroid, Asteroid 2024 EP3, is 130 feet wide and will travel past the earth on March 17, 2024. The asteroid is travelling at 32193 kilometres per hour and will pass the planet at a distance of 4230000 kilometres  (Pixabay)
Asteroid
4/6 JPL reports that the asteroid 2024 ED3 is 96 feet across. The space rock is flying at 35808 kilometres per hour and will pass close to Earth on March 18, 2024. On the specified day, the asteroid will pass by Earth at a distance of around 135000 kilometres. (Pixabay)
Asteroid
5/6 Asteroid 2024 EN: The next space rock is Asteroid 2024 EN, which measures 140 feet wide. The asteroid is expected to come near to Earth on March 9, 2024. According to NASA, the asteroid is hurtling at 43101 miles per hour and will pass Earth at a distance of 1.4 million kilometres. (NASA)
Asteroid
6/6 Asteroid 2024 EN3: The last asteroid scheduled to approach Earth is Asteroid 2024 EN3, which is predicted to be 55 feet wide. The asteroid is now moving at a speed of 22855 kilometres per hour. It is expected to pass within 2.1 million kilometres of Earth. (Pixabay)
Asteroid
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Three Apollo asteroids will pass Earth today, says NASA. check other details. (Pixabay)

In the last few months, asteroid flybys have become a common occurrence. These space rocks, also known as minor planets, are rocky, airless remnants of the early formation of our solar system about 4.6 billion years ago. According to NASA, the current asteroid count is 1,351,400, with most of them revolving around the Sun in the main asteroid belt located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Now, the US space agency has shed light on three asteroids which have been observed moving towards Earth in their orbit and are expected to pass by the planet today, April 2.

Also Read: What are asteroids and how ESA is tracking them

Asteroid 2024 FR3

NASA has designated the first asteroid to pass Earth today as Asteroid 2024 FR3. It is expected to pass Earth at a distance of just 1.3 million kilometres. As per the US Space Agency, the asteroid is travelling in its orbit at a speed of 38424 kilometres per hour which is even faster than the speed of the International Space Station (ISS)!

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In terms of size, Asteroid 2024 FR3 is approximately 78 feet wide, making it almost as big as a house. It 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: NASA shares stunning images of black holes

Asteroid 2024 FG3

The second asteroid has been given the designation of Asteroid 2024 FG3. NASA says it is moving towards Earth in its orbit at a speed of 54371 kilometres per hour. NASA expects this space rock to fly past Earth at a distance of approximately 3.1 million kilometres.

In terms of size, Asteroid 2024 FG3 has a width of almost 100 feet, which means it is also as big as an aircraft. The asteroid also belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids.

Asteroid 2024 FN3

The last asteroid to pass Earth today has been designated Asteroid 2024 FN3 by NASA CNEOS. During its close approach, it will come as close as 6.7 million kilometres to the planet and is already travelling it in its orbit around the Sun at a speed of 25787 kilometres per hour. This asteroid is also 100 feet wide, which makes it the same size as an aircraft. 

Also Read: 10 breathtaking images of Earth captured from the International Space Station

Asteroid 2024 FN3 is the largest of them all, with a width of nearly 52 feet. It also belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids.

While all three asteroids are predicted to pass Earth by a close margin and have been termed Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs), they are not likely to impact the surface and cause any damage.

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First Published Date: 02 Apr, 10:09 IST
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