Asteroid Bigger Than Ten Buses Headed Our Way
“The space agency further identifies this asteroid as a member of the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids, which are asteroids cross Earth’s path with larger semi-major axes.”
via Editorji News Desk
Image: Shutterstock
NASA is closely monitoring an asteroid as it hurtles towards Earth at a staggering 43,515 km/h!
NASA’s vigilant eyes are on Asteroid 2023 MR1 as it travels towards our planet at an incredible speed of 43,515 kilometers per hour.
While the asteroid’s closest approach to Earth is expected to be around 2.2 million kilometers away, in the vast expanse of space, this distance is relatively small, particularly considering the asteroid’s size.
The Size of the Threat: Asteroid 2023 MR1
With a width of approximately 190 feet, the size of Asteroid 2023 MR1 is likened to an aircraft by NASA.
The space agency further identifies this asteroid as a member of the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids, which are asteroids cross Earth’s path with larger semi-major axes. These asteroids are named after the massive 1862 Apollo asteroid, discovered by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth in the 1930s.
Behind Asteroid Nomenclature
The European Space Agency (ESA) explains that when an observer spots an asteroid on two consecutive nights, their findings are sent to the Minor Planet Centre of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).
The IAU then assigns a provisional designation, such as “2023 KT1”. This includes the year of discovery and two letters denoting the order of discovery within that year.
While Asteroid 2023 MR1 is indeed hurtling towards Earth, its encounter will be a distant one, reminding us once again of the vastness of our cosmos and NASA’s crucial role in tracking these celestial bodies.
