NASA astronomers have issued a warning about a large asteroid, roughly the size of two football fields, that will pass near Earth on September 15. In astronomical terms, this asteroid will come relatively close to our planet.
Designated as Asteroid 2024 ON, this object was discovered earlier this year and is now on a path toward Earth. NASA estimates the asteroid’s size to be about 220 meters, or twice the length of a football field.
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Subscribe to the NewsletterDespite its proximity, Asteroid 2024 ON poses no threat to Earth. It will pass by at a distance of over 990,000 kilometers—2.6 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon. Scientists note that asteroids of this size typically come this close to Earth approximately once every decade.
The asteroid’s close approach on September 15 presents a unique opportunity for astronomers to collect crucial data on its composition, speed, rotation period, and orbital trajectory.
This information is essential for improving models of near-Earth asteroid behavior and enhancing our understanding of solar system dynamics.
Asteroids are remnants from the formation of the solar system 4.6 billion years ago. They vary greatly in size and shape due to their formation in different regions and distances from the sun. While most are composed of various types of rock, some contain clay or metals like nickel and iron.
NASA continuously monitors near-Earth asteroids, as some of them could pose a genuine threat to our planet. Objects with a diameter exceeding 150 meters that come within 7.4 million kilometers of Earth are classified as potentially hazardous.
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