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Scientists say a nut-shaped asteroid, with its own moon, is expected to overtake Earth on Saturday.
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The asteroid, known as 1999 KW4, will be within 3.2 million miles of Earth – its closest approach for 20 years, reported WGRZ-TV. Although this is considered close, it still remains at a safe distance from the Earth.
Huge asteroid to pass safely on May 25
Astronomers will observe the asteroid 1999 KW4 – of strange shape, one kilometer wide, with a companion moon – at the closest approach on May 25th. For more information: https://t.co/UCBILXQOeu
Images via the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. pic.twitter.com/Xi4kAYfELB
– EarthSky (@earthskyscience) May 19, 2019
The asteroid is considered a binary system, which means that it consists of a large asteroid and a smaller moon orbiting around it, reported CNet. The observatory at Las Cumbres describes its shape as "slightly crushed at the poles and with a mountain ridge around the equator, which runs all around the asteroid. This ridge gives the primary an appearance similar to that of a walnut or a spinning top. "
The asteroid will be best observed Saturday since the southern hemisphere. However, astronomers in the northern hemisphere may be able to see him on Monday using an 8–inch diameter telescope, EarthSky.org reported.
The next time the asteroid will be visible from Earth will be in 2036, while it will be even closer.
More information on the 1999 KW4 display can be found here.
© 2019 Cox Media Group.
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