NASA warned that Earth is about to get visited by a total of 6 asteroids this week. The biggest space rock in the group is larger than the Empire State building.
According to NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), the first asteroid that will enter the planet's neighborhood is called 2020 FF . This asteroid, which is the smallest in the group, has an estimated diameter of about 85 feet. It is currently traveling across space at a speed of almost 13,000 miles per hour.
While you're here, how about this:
NASA reports asteroid to pass close to Earth tomorrow, might 'airburst'
Here's how to see that huge asteroid that'll safely pass Earth in April | Astronomy
The huge asteroid known as (52768) 1998 OR2 will pass closest on April 29, 2020. Observers peering through telescopes will see it as a slow-moving “star.” Charts, tips – plus how to watch online – here.
Orbit of asteroid (52768) 1998 OR2. It requires 3 years and 8 months to orbit the sun onc. It gets nearly as far from the sun as Jupiter (about 5 times Earth’s distance from the sun). Image via NASA/ JPL.
Have you heard the buzz about a big – very big – asteroid that’ll pass close in April? We have! No, it won’t hit our planet. In fact, it won’t have any effects on Earth. Still, excitement is building among both professional and amateur astronomers about the upcoming flyby of asteroid (52768) 1998 OR2 – the biggest asteroid due to fly by Earth this year – coming closest on April 29, 2020.
The asteroid Ryugu has a texture like freeze-dried coffee | Science News
The asteroid Ryugu is light and fluffy. Images taken by Japan's Hayabusa2 spacecraft suggest the whole asteroid is highly porous , scientists report in Nature on March 16.
"It is something like freeze-dry coffee," says planetary scientist Tatsuaki Okada of the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency. If early protoplanets had similar structures, that could mean planets formed quickly.
As an ancient, carbon-rich asteroid, Ryugu is thought to be a time capsule of solar system history. To read that history, Hayabusa2 explored Ryugu from June 2018 to November 2019, and grabbed two samples from the asteroid to bring back to Earth ( SN: 7/11/19 ).
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NASA Announces They Definitely Just Destroyed An Asteroid
A really big one, too. Hear how close NASA officials say the Earth was to total annihilation, and why they are the ones to thank for saving us all.
Could an asteroid hit Earth next month? | WGN Radio 720 - Chicago's Very Own
Chris Gebhardt of nasaspaceflight.com joins the Matt Bubala Show to discuss what plans NASA has in place if a 4KM asteroid hit Earth. The NASA -tracked Asteroid 52768 (1998 OR2) will appear closest to Earth towards the end of April.
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Author Veronica Appleton joins Matt Bubala to discuss recommendations for e-learning tools, what parents and educators can do to facilitate reading literacy at-home and resources for free activities and books. For more information, visit here.
Asteroid Could Cause Atmospheric Explosion If It Gets Too Close
The approaching asteroid is being monitored by NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, which is tracking the object, known as 2020 EF , at more than 10,000 mph.
CNEOS estimated the asteroid has a diameter of about 98 feet, making it slightly longer than the distances between baseball diamond bases.
According to CNEOS, 2020 EF is an Aten asteroid, which means it follows a natural orbit that crosses Earth's path . As indicated in NASA's orbit diagram for 2020 EF, the asteroid follows a very wide orbit around the sun and almost follows the same path as Earth. The diagram also shows multiple near-approaches between 2020 EF and the planet.
With Big Asteroid Set To Make A Pass By Earth, Astronomers Say Not To Worry | Here & Now
An asteroid up to 2.5 miles wide is set to pass by the Earth next month, though it'll miss by a wide margin of about 4 million miles.
We talk to Sky & Telescope Senior Editor Kelly Beatty about how good we are now at tracking asteroid threats, big and small.
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