A huge asteroid is approaching Earth at a speed of 124 thousand kilometers per hour

Fri, 12-03-2021
8:06 p.m.
Tayeb Hussain

The American media have revealed that a huge asteroid is approaching Earth at a speed of 124 thousand kilometers per hour.

Although she described it as the most important of 2021, she mentioned that there is no danger in this unique event.

The asteroid is expected to pass, Sunday, March 21, about two million kilometers from Earth.

She said this astronomical event would allow scientists to closely study this celestial body.

And NASA said about the danger of collision with Earth, that at its closest point, it will stay at a distance of more than five times the distance between Earth and the Moon, according to the US space agency. NASA “.

However, it remains close enough to be classified as “potentially dangerous,” according to official categories.

This asteroid is called “2011 FO32”, has a diameter of less than a kilometer, and will pass at a speed of 124 thousand kilometers per hour, which means “faster than most asteroids” which pass close to Earth.

This asteroid was discovered in March 2001 and its trajectory has been monitored ever since. “Not much is known about this object at the moment, so its close passage gives us a great opportunity to learn a lot about it,” said Lance Penner, a scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who l ‘associates with Objects close to the Earth. Center.

Researchers can, for example, get a better idea of ​​the composition of the asteroid by studying the light reflected from its surface.

“It is assumed that astronomy enthusiasts in the southern hemisphere and at lower northern latitudes will be able to view this asteroid using medium-sized telescopes,” center director Paul Chodas said in a statement.

“NASA” has assured that none of the large known asteroids will reach Earth in the next century, and it is also unlikely that they will make those that have not yet been discovered. But she added: “The more information we collect about these crimes, the better we can prepare to expel them in case any of them threaten Earth.”