UNITED STATES: In May, the Earth will witness a series of asteroid flybys, with one of them, asteroid 2023 HG1, set to pass close to Earth on May 9. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has confirmed that the asteroid is hurtling towards Earth at a speed of 7200 kilometres per hour and is approximately 60 feet (18 metres) in diameter, making it nearly the size of a house.
Despite its size, there is no need for concern, as the asteroid is not expected to pose any danger to Earth during its close approach. According to NASA, the asteroid will pass within 2,590,000 miles (4,160,000 km) of Earth, which is more than ten times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
Asteroids are leftovers from the nearly 4.6 billion-year process that created our solar system. The asteroid belt contains objects left over after the formation of planets but unable to become part of those planets.
While not all asteroids are the same size and shape, they all have irregular shapes, making them different from planets. Some asteroids are as minor as pebbles, while others are hundreds of miles in diameter. Most asteroids are made up of different kinds of rocks, while others have clays or metals like nickel and iron.
NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) identifies potentially hazardous asteroids and develops plans to mitigate the risks. The PDCO monitors near-Earth objects and tracks their orbits to ensure the safety of our planet.
The close approach of asteroid 2023 HG1 provides an excellent opportunity for scientists to study the asteroid’s characteristics, composition, and trajectory. NASA will use its Deep Space Network of radio telescopes to track the asteroid and gather valuable data.
Even though the asteroid poses no threat to Earth, its close approach serves as a reminder of the potential risk that asteroids pose and the necessity for ongoing monitoring and research in this area.
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