Tech News Summary:
- An asteroid named Asteroid 2023 VL5 is expected to pass Earth by a close margin today, approaching within 3.2 million kilometers of the planet’s surface.
- Asteroid 2023 VL5 is 76 feet wide, classified as an Aten group of asteroids, and will approach Earth again next year on November 14 at a distance of 3.6 million kilometers.
- Scientists have discovered three elusive asteroids hidden behind the Sun, one of which is the largest potentially dangerous object for Earth discovered in the last eight years. The Dark Energy Camera was used to locate and observe them.
NASA has revealed that an aircraft-sized asteroid is set to pass by Earth today in a close encounter with our planet. The asteroid, named 2022 AN1, is estimated to be around 75 feet in diameter and is expected to come within approximately 1.2 million miles of Earth.
Although this may sound like a significant distance, in astronomical terms it is considered a close approach. Researchers at NASA have been closely monitoring the asteroid’s trajectory and have determined that there is no risk of a collision with Earth.
While the asteroid’s passing poses no threat to our planet, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to track and study near-Earth objects. NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office is responsible for identifying and tracking potentially hazardous asteroids and comets, and developing strategies for planetary defense in the event of a future threat.
Astronomers and space enthusiasts are looking forward to observing the asteroid as it zips past Earth, providing a rare opportunity to study a celestial object of this size up close. For those interested in observing the event, NASA’s Near Earth Object Program provides details on the asteroid’s trajectory and visibility from various locations around the world.
The close encounter with 2022 AN1 is a reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of our solar system, and the importance of continued vigilance in monitoring near-Earth objects for the safety and security of our planet.