Exciting News: An Asteroid the Size of a Football Stadium Approaching Earth!
An asteroid the “size of a football stadium” is hurtling towards Earth at a rapid pace and will be visible via livestream early Wednesday morning. The European Space Agency (ESA) has confirmed that this massive space rock, known as 2020 XR, will also be observable through a 20-centimetre telescope.
2020 XR, with a diameter of about 365 meters, is classified as a “near Earth object” (NEO) due to its size and its proximity to our planet. This Apollo-Class Asteroid will be closest to Earth when it is 2.2 million kilometers away, moving at an astonishing speed of 44,260 kph.
While NASA designates any object larger than 150 meters and within 7,402,980 km of Earth as a “potentially hazardous object,” scientists assure us that there is no cause for alarm regarding 2020 XR. Despite initial concerns about a possible impact in 2028, further analysis has ruled out any danger.
According to Juan Luis Cano, coordinator of the ESA’s Near-Earth Object Coordination Center, astronomers have refined the asteroid’s trajectory and determined that it will pass safely by Earth on Wednesday. The asteroid is expected to make another pass in about four years, but the next close encounter won’t occur until at least 2196, when it will be approximately 18.2 million kilometers away.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the upcoming close encounter with asteroid 2020 XR is a fascinating event that highlights the intricate dance of celestial bodies in our solar system. While the asteroid poses no threat to Earth, its passage offers a unique opportunity for astronomers and space enthusiasts to observe a remarkable phenomenon.
FAQs
1. What is the size of asteroid 2020 XR?
Asteroid 2020 XR is approximately 365 meters in diameter, comparable in size to a football stadium.
2. How fast is asteroid 2020 XR moving?
The asteroid is moving at a speed of about 44,260 kilometers per hour as it approaches Earth.
3. Will asteroid 2020 XR be visible through a telescope?
Yes, the asteroid will be observable through a 20-centimeter telescope, as confirmed by the European Space Agency (ESA).
4. Is asteroid 2020 XR classified as a near Earth object?
Yes, 2020 XR is categorized as a near Earth object (NEO) due to its size and its proximity to Earth’s orbit.
5. How close will asteroid 2020 XR be to Earth during its closest approach?
The asteroid will be 2.2 million kilometers away from Earth at its closest point.
6. What is the significance of an Apollo-Class Asteroid?
An Apollo-Class Asteroid is an object whose orbit crosses the orbit of Earth, posing a potential risk of impact.
7. Is asteroid 2020 XR considered a potentially hazardous object by NASA?
Any object larger than 150 meters and within 7,402,980 km of Earth is designated as a potentially hazardous object by NASA.
8. When is asteroid 2020 XR expected to pass by Earth again?
The asteroid is projected to make another pass by Earth in about four years.
9. Are there any future close encounters predicted for asteroid 2020 XR?
The next close approach of asteroid 2020 XR is not expected until at least 2196, when it will be 18.2 million kilometers away from Earth.
10. Should the public be concerned about asteroid 2020 XR?
There is no need for concern, as scientists have ruled out any potential impact or hazard from asteroid 2020 XR.
Tags
Tags: Asteroid, Space, Earth, ESA, NEO, NASA