To date, NASA has discovered more than a million space rocks orbiting our solar system.
In the midst of studying celestial bodies and cosmic phenomena, astronomers find new objects that may pose a threat to our planet. Fewer than five potentially dangerous asteroids have been found approaching Earth. The Daily Mail reports this.
The first of them is a space object called 2001 QQ142. It belongs to the Apollo class, meaning it is a near-Earth asteroid. Rocks of this class are often the source of meteorites that fall to Earth. Scientists estimate the diameter of asteroid 2001 QQ142 to be from 347 m to 1.5 km, making it potentially dangerous. It flies at a speed of 23,900 km/h and on December 6 will approach the Earth at a distance of 5.5 million km.
The second asteroid is 2008 EV5, which belongs to the Atona class. Its width is about 400 meters. It flies at a speed of 19,200 km/h and five days before Christmas, on December 20, it will approach the Earth at a distance of 6.3 million km.
Next is the stone 2019 CZ2. Asteroid 2019 CZ2 is believed to be between 21 and 94 meters in size. The rock is flying at a speed of 20,900 km/h and on November 25 it will be 1.1 million km from Earth.
Another small space rock – 2020 YO3is estimated to have a diameter of 31 to 70 m. It will pass Earth on December 23 at a distance of 1.3 million km at a speed of 59,800 km/h.
The fifth potentially dangerous asteroid is 2013 VX4. It is also an Apollo with dimensions ranging from 44 to 99 m. Its flight speed is 23,600 km/h and on December 4 it will approach the Earth at a distance of 1.9 million km.
In addition to asteroids, at the end of the year a comet is called 144P/Kushida. It will be closest to Earth on December 12, and a month later, on January 25, 2024, it will reach its closest point to the Sun.
Although the comet won’t reach its peak brightness until 2024, astronomers in both hemispheres will be able to see it with binoculars and telescopes by the end of 2023.
The comet is located in the constellation Aries, but is moving toward Earth at a speed of about 105,000 km/h.
It was previously reported that the Hubble telescope took a picture of a spiral galaxy located in the constellation of Cetus.
Source: korrespondent
I am Ben Stock, a passionate and experienced digital journalist working in the news industry. At the Buna Times, I write articles covering technology developments and related topics. I strive to provide reliable information that my readers can trust. My research skills are top-notch, as well as my ability to craft engaging stories on timely topics with clarity and accuracy.