A “potentially hazardous” 3,400-foot-wide giant asteroid is heading towards Earth

NASA: It’s probably been relatively quiet so far in terms of asteroids approaching our planet. While there were a few small space rocks flying across the planet in the distance, and a few meteors lighting up the night sky here and there, nothing significant happened. There was only one incident where the 1,600-foot-wide asteroid was spotted on May 15, but luckily it didn’t come close to Earth. But now, concerns are growing as the asteroid more than twice its size is headed toward Earth. A giant asteroid 3,400 feet wide will pass its closest point to Earth on May 27, just 8 days from now. Read on to find out if there is a risk of an asteroid strike on Earth. Read also: First evidence of supernova explosion found on Earth

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory, a branch of NASA, revealed that the asteroid was named 1989 JA and was 3,400 feet, or 1.8 kilometers wide. For reference, the asteroid is more than twice the size of the Burj Khalifa. The asteroid is expected to approach its closest point to Earth at a distance of 40,24,182 km. The asteroid is moving at a speed of 47,196 km/hour. While this may seem like a long distance to cover, due to its high speed, it can be covered in a matter of hours. Scientists are constantly monitoring the asteroid to make sure its distance is maintained. For now, the asteroid is expected to pass through a safe path and is unlikely to collide.

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NASA: A 3,400 -foot -wide asteroid is gliding toward Earth

Asteroid 1989 JA has been classified as an Apollo class asteroid. Apollo asteroids are a class of trans-Earth asteroids that have an axis greater than Earth’s, but perihelion (point in orbit closest to the Sun) is smaller than aphelion (point in orbit furthest from the Sun). ). Due to this classification, it is also a near-Earth object or a NEO asteroid. Well, why is this asteroid considered dangerous to Earth because of its proximity to Earth and its enormous size, capable of causing massive destruction for our planet. This is why NASA calls this asteroid “potentially dangerous”. Read also: NASA finds something ‘amazing’, related to dinosaur-killing asteroid

Interestingly, if all goes well and the asteroid doesn’t reach us, astronomers can see this space rock hovering with a pair of professional binoculars. This asteroid was last seen in 2015 and will not be seen again until 2029 when it will cross our path again.

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