Scary 52-foot Asteroid 2022 VU1 hurtling towards Earth; clocks fiery 25524 kmph, says NASA | Tech News

Scary 52-foot Asteroid 2022 VU1 hurtling towards Earth; clocks fiery 25524 kmph, says NASA

A 52-foot asteroid named 2022 VU1 is nearing Earth today at great speed. Here is what NASA has to say onthis scary asteroid.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Nov 20 2022, 14:54 IST
Are near-Earth objects DANGEROUS? Know what NASA says about scary comets, asteroids
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1/5 Earth has objects near it, which sometimes get attracted towards the planet because of its gravitational pull. Of course, not every near-Earth object manages to reach the surface of the planet. The object needs to be large enough to survive its fiery journey through the atmosphere of the Earth. (Pixabay)
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2/5 What is a near-Earth object? Asteroids or comets that can pass within 30 million miles or 50 million kilometers of Earth's orbit are known as near-Earth objects or NEO. According to NASA, "A near-Earth object (NEO) is an asteroid or comet whose orbit brings it within a zone approximately 121 million miles (195 million kilometers) from the Sun, meaning that it can pass within about 30 million miles (50 million kilometers) of Earth’s orbit." (Pixabay)
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3/5 NASA further informed that the vast majority of NEOs that enter Earth’s atmosphere disintegrate before reaching the surface (and more than 100 tons of dust particles disintegrate in Earth’s atmosphere daily). Those NEOs that are larger than around 98 to 164 feet (30 to 50 meters) in size could cause widespread damage in and around their impact sites. Apart from NEOs, there is another category that NASA uses. These are the potentially hazardous objects (PHO). These are near-Earth objects whose orbit brings them within 4.7 million miles (7.5 million km) of Earth’s orbit, or is greater than 500 feet (140 meters) in size. (Pixabay)
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4/5 The highest risk of impact for a known asteroid is a 1 in 714 chance of impact by an asteroid designated 2009 FD in 2185. This means that the possibility that it could impact then is less than 0.2 percent. NASA said, "One asteroid that NASA is studying up close, called Bennu, has a 1/2700 chance of impacting Earth between 2175 and 2195. The OSIRIS-REx spacecraft will complete a 2-year investigation of Bennu before plucking a sample of asteroid material off its surface and delivering it back to Earth." (Pixabay)
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5/5 How can we prevent an asteroid from hitting Earth? Currently, an asteroid impact is the only natural disaster that NASA might be able to prevent. There are a few methods that NASA is studying to deflect an asteroid on a course to impact Earth. One of these techniques is called a gravity tractor—it involves a spacecraft that would rendezvous with an asteroid (but not land on its surface) and maintain its relative, optimal position to use the mutual gravity attraction between the satellite and the asteroid to slowly alter the course of the asteroid. (Pixabay)
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Here is all you need to know about Asteroid 2022 VU1 and how close it will come to Earth today. (Pixabay)

Not all the near-Earth objects are safe. Asteroids, comets, meteors, among others are some of the objects in space that can pose a threat to planet Earth. Larger the object, the more could be its destructive potential on the planet. As per the latest information shared by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) the 52-foot Asteroid 2022 VU1 is reaching Earth today, November 20, Sunday at a great speed. So, is this asteroid going to come too close to Earth for comfort? How dangerous is this asteroid for Earth? Find it out here.

Asteroid 2022 VU1's closest approach to Earth will be a scary 1670000 miles, according to NASA's JPL. The 52-foot asteroid which is the size of a house is moving at a great speed of 25524 kilometer per hour (7.09km/sec). Wondering if the asteroid is dangerous for our planet? No, the asteroid will fly past the planet and will not collide with it if it keeps travelling in its current trajectory.

It can be known that not every asteroid coming towards Earth is dangerous for the living organisms staying on it. However, if they change direction due to some reason like Earth's gravitational pull, or something else acts on them, then these asteroids can pose problems. That is also why NASA keeps a constant eye on them to ensure any such events are quickly found and acted upon. NASA has deployed a number of Earth and Sky-based technology to keep a constant eye on these asteroids that come too close to the planet. Scientists and researchers keep an eye on the movements of these objects through various technical marvels like telescopes or various kinds and satellites.

It can be known that asteroid 2022 VU1 is not the only asteroid to pass our planet today. 120-foot Asteroid 2022 VR1 will also make its closest approach to planet Earth today. Worryingly, it will come even closer than VU1 to Earth. Asteroid VR1 will come as close as 969000 miles!

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First Published Date: 20 Nov, 14:54 IST
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