This frightening 150-foot wide asteroid just buzzed Earth; NASA says 4 other asteroids coming

After the safe passage of a frightening 150-foot wide giant asteroid, NASA has issued a warning for four more asteroids. Here’s the list.

By: HT TECH
| Updated on: Sep 03 2022, 23:40 IST
This asteroid is worth $10,000 Quadrillion
Asteroids
1/6 hereas other asteroids are generally made up of ice or rocks, this unique asteroid is made up of nickel, which is one of the building blocks of the solar system. One of the biggest asteroids in our Solar System, the 16 Psyche asteroid is made up of gold, nickel and iron deposits and is supposedly worth more than Earth's economy. The asteroid is worth nearly $10,000 Quadrillion. (NASA)
Asteroids
2/6 The Psyche Mission will also help scientists to study and understand iron cores, a previously unexplored building block of planet formation. The 16 Psyche asteroid mission is a part of NASA's Discovery missions. (Pixabay)
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3/6 The findings of this mission could enable scientists to develop a way of using asteroids as resources. Asteroids could come in handy when building structures in space, such as bases on other planets or even the Moon. Due to their 85 percent metal structure, they could be an excellent source of minerals. It is even said that the raw materials extracted from asteroids could even exceed the metal reserves present on Earth. (NASA)
Asteroids
4/6 The mission has been in the phase known as assembly, test, and launch operations since March 2021. Since the launch window is limited, scientists and engineers have worked round the clock in order to finish the spacecraft's assembly in time. However, due to unexpected software issues, the mission has now been delayed and pushed to 2023. (NASA)
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5/6 NASA said, "Due to the late delivery of the spacecraft's flight software and testing equipment, NASA does not have sufficient time to complete the testing needed ahead of its remaining launch period this year, which ends on October 11. The mission team needs more time to ensure that the software will function properly in flight." (NASA)
Asteroids
6/6 In order to reach the asteroid, the spacecraft will fly by Mars for a gravity assist in May 2023 and, in early 2026, orbit around asteroid Psyche in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. NASA says that the Psyche mission is expected to launch in both 2023 and 2024, but due to the uncertainties, the exact dates of these potential launch periods are yet to be determined. (NASA)
Asteroids
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Asteroids are posing a big danger as their closest approaches to the Earth are frighteningly close. Should we worry? Know what NASA said. (HT_PRINT)

While on one hand NASA is preparing to launch the Artemis I spacecraft to pave the way for a crewed flight test and future human lunar exploration, on the other, a massive 150-foot wide asteroid just passed the Earth from very close quarters. NASA revealed that an asteroid named 2022 QO31 made its closest approach of around 3.32 million miles to Earth today. Thankfully, Earth escaped the terror of this potentially hazardous asteroid, but it seems like this peace of mind will not last long. As soon as this asteroid skipped past the Earth, NASA has issued a warning about another four asteroids that are hurtling towards the Earth.

Which of these asteroids pose danger to Earth? How does NASA determine potentially hazardous asteroids?” According to the space agency, an asteroid larger than about 150 meters or 492-foot wide in size that approaches anywhere near Earth within 4.6 million miles or 7.5 million kilometers, is termed a potentially hazardous object or asteroid. This is not to say that the smaller ones are not dangerous. In fact they are, especially if they hit a crowded place like a city. NASA shared the list, know here.

Asteroids heading towards Earth

Asteroid 2022 RK: This is a 70-foot wide asteroid which will make its close approach towards the Earth tomorrow, September 4. NASA says that it will be as close as 2.24 million miles.

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Asteroid 2022 QJ7: A 82-foot wide asteroid is set to make its closer appearance on September 5 within the distance of 3.52 million miles.

Asteroid 2022 QU5: On September 5, there will be another \97-foot wide asteroid. However, it is said to have the closest Earth approach of 4.57 million miles.

Asteroid 2022 QC7: Another dangerous asteroid, which will be 68-foot wide in size but is said to have the closest approach of just 2.82 million miles from Earth.

Did you Know?

NASA's Solar system exploration has found 1,113,527 asteroids so far. Also, NASA says that most of these ancient space rocks can be found orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter within the main asteroid belt and the total mass of all the asteroids in the asteroid belt is less than that of Earth's Moon.

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First Published Date: 03 Sep, 23:40 IST
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