NBD, there is just one massive asteroid sweeping over Earth this month

gGiant asteroids do not collide with our planet very often, but sometimes they pass at a relatively close distance, only to disappear into the cosmic void. Case in point: Another asteroid is about to move inside what scientists are calling a “potentially dangerous” distance from the planet later this month, and the vast majority of humanity does not. will have no idea.

If you’re worried about the huge space rock that could theoretically cause disaster if it had to do touch down on dry land? No, you shouldn’t. Bbut that doesn’t mean you should ignore it either.

When does asteroid 2016 AJ193 who passed Earth?

The asteroid, called 2016 AJ193, is just under a mile wide and travels at a speed of 58,538 miles per hour, according to EarthSky. His closest encounter with Earth will take place on August 23. at 11:10 ammr. ET, and experts note that anyone trying to spot the asteroid in the wild will have the best chance of doing so before sunrise. If you try to spot it, you will need to use a telescope.

Despite the “potentially dangerous” label designated by NASA, EarthSky is quick to dispel any fears of an impending apocalypse (at least of this particular asteroid) because he won’t knock Earth.

What is the proximity a “Object close to Earth “?

2016 AJ193 was first discovered in 2016 by the Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System at Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii. It is classified as a Near Earth Object (NEO), due to its relatively close distance from our planet, but the criterion is actually defined by a magnitude of millions, as NASA explains:

They approach Earth’s orbit within 7.5 million kilometers (about 4.6 million miles). In comparison, when Mars and Earth are closest, they are about 53 million kilometers (about 33 million miles) apart.

Scientists are monitoring NEOs because asteroids and comets located at this distance could theoretically be sucked into our planet’s orbit, although this is a very rare event. It’s all about mitigation, should an NEO ever pose a threat. The space agency writes, “Knowing the size, shape, mass, composition and structure of these objects helps determine the best way to deflect one, if it has an Earth-threatening path.

As for this asteroid, it only revolves around the sun every six years and will not return very close to Earth for 65 years. So when you think about it that way, it’s nothing to worry about at all.