Giant 96-Foot Asteroid 2024 NM3 To Pass Earth by a Narrow Margin Today, Says NASA; Check Details
With a diameter of 96 feet, Asteroid 2024 NM3 will pass just 484,000 miles from Earth—an uncomfortably close encounter considering the Moon is only 2,39,000 miles away. Although NASA assures there is no immediate threat of a collision, the proximity highlights the potential dangers of near-Earth objects (NEOs).
New Delhi, July 17: The Earth is under constant bombardment from space objects, and today, July 17th, three asteroids are set to make close approaches to our planet. Among them, the largest is Asteroid 2024 NF, measuring 220 feet in diameter—about the size of a giant airplane. Despite its size, it will remain 3 million miles away from Earth. Asteroid 2024 NJ3, approximately house-sized, will come within 763,000 miles of Earth.
The most concerning, however, is Asteroid 2024 NM3. With a diameter of 96 feet, it will pass just 484,000 miles from Earth—an uncomfortably close encounter considering the Moon is only 239,000 miles away. Although NASA assures there is no immediate threat of a collision, the proximity highlights the potential dangers of near-Earth objects (NEOs). Asteroid 2024 KN1, As Big As Large Airplane, to Zoom Past Earth Today; Know Time and Other Details.
Asteroid 2024 NM3, traveling at a speed of 26,525.20 km/h, belongs to the Aten group of asteroids and has been classified as an NEO by NASA’s Small-Body Database Lookup. The asteroid’s orbit, like others, can be influenced by the gravitational pull of planets it passes and by collisions with other space matter. Asteroid Twice the Size Burj Khalifa To Fly Past Earth on May 27, Considered ‘Potentially Hazardous’.
The asteroid is expected to make another close approach on December 24, 2026, when it will be traveling at an even faster speed of 57,532.43 km/h. While most asteroids originate in the asteroid belt, many escape due to collisions or gravitational interactions with planets, leading to frequent close encounters with Earth.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 17, 2024 10:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).