- NASA has provided detailed information about five asteroids that are expected to pass close to Earth in the coming days. With the help of advanced telescopes, NASA has gathered information about their size, speed, and distance of approach.
- The asteroids include Asteroid 2023 KZ, which has a width of only 41 feet and will make its closest approach to Earth on May 26, and Asteroid 2023 KJ, which is expected to pass by on May 28 at a distance of 3.5 million kilometers and is moving at a speed of 25,000 kilometers per hour.
- NASA’s efforts to detect and track near-Earth objects are important for better understanding their trajectories and potential impact on our planet. Additionally, they are working on developing technologies to deflect potential asteroid threats in the future.
NASA scientists have discovered five asteroids approaching Earth, using advanced technology that has enabled them to obtain accurate details of the celestial bodies. The five asteroids range in size from 33 to 820 meters and are traveling at speeds of between 10 and 63 kilometers per second. The closest asteroid is expected to approach Earth on December 22, 2021, while the farthest asteroid is predicted to pass by on January 22, 2022.
NASA’s team used the Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (NEOWISE) to collect data on the asteroids. NEOWISE is an advanced infrared telescope that assists researchers in detecting and tracking objects that could pose a risk to Earth.
“This technology helps us identify any asteroids that could pose a threat to our planet by providing precise details on their size, speed, and trajectory,” said Kelly Fast, the program manager for NASA’s Near-Earth Object Observations Program. “The information we obtain from NEOWISE enables us to take necessary measures to protect our planet from potential asteroid impacts.”
NASA has been monitoring asteroids for many years and has an action plan in place to mitigate potential risks. According to Fast, the primary goal of the observatory is to recognize as many asteroids as possible and provide enough time to prepare and take appropriate action.
As part of its efforts to protect the planet, NASA is also developing the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, which is designed to assess the effectiveness of deflecting an asteroid that could pose a risk to Earth. The mission is scheduled to launch in November 2021 and aims to deflect the smaller asteroid in the binary system Didymos by means of kinetic impact.
NASA has been working tirelessly to gain a better understanding of the characteristics of asteroids that could cross the planet’s orbit. With the help of advanced technology such as NEOWISE and initiatives like the DART mission, the agency is committed to ensuring the safety of our planet and future generations.