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An asteroid that will be the largest during the year 2021 is expected to pass by about two million kilometers from Earth without the risk of colliding with it, but this astronomical event will allow scientists to study this celestial body more closely.
This asteroid is called “2001 FO32”, and its diameter is less than a kilometer, and it will pass at a speed of 124 thousand kilometers per hour, which is “faster than most asteroids” that pass near the Earth, according to the US space agency “NASA”.The agency assured that the “danger” of the asteroid colliding with the planet does not exist, as at its closest point, it will remain at a distance of more than 5 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
However, it remains close enough to be classified as “potentially dangerous,” according to the official categories.This asteroid was discovered in March 2001, and its trajectory has been monitored since then.
“Not much is known about this object at the present time, so its close passage gives us a great opportunity to learn a lot about it,” said Lance Penner, a scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which belongs to him.
Researchers will be able, for example, to get a better idea of the composition of the asteroid by studying the light reflected from its surface.
“It is assumed that astronomy enthusiasts in the southern hemisphere and at low northern latitudes will be able to see this asteroid using medium-sized telescopes,” the center’s director, Paul Chodas, said in a statement.
“NASA” assured that none of the known large asteroids will hit Earth in the next century, and it is also unlikely to do those that have not been discovered yet.
But she added, “The more information we gather about these crimes, the better we can prepare to deport them in the event that one of them threatens the Earth.”
[Moderator's note: Link to pop science source removed.]
This asteroid is called “2001 FO32”, and its diameter is less than a kilometer, and it will pass at a speed of 124 thousand kilometers per hour, which is “faster than most asteroids” that pass near the Earth, according to the US space agency “NASA”.The agency assured that the “danger” of the asteroid colliding with the planet does not exist, as at its closest point, it will remain at a distance of more than 5 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
However, it remains close enough to be classified as “potentially dangerous,” according to the official categories.This asteroid was discovered in March 2001, and its trajectory has been monitored since then.
“Not much is known about this object at the present time, so its close passage gives us a great opportunity to learn a lot about it,” said Lance Penner, a scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which belongs to him.
Researchers will be able, for example, to get a better idea of the composition of the asteroid by studying the light reflected from its surface.
“It is assumed that astronomy enthusiasts in the southern hemisphere and at low northern latitudes will be able to see this asteroid using medium-sized telescopes,” the center’s director, Paul Chodas, said in a statement.
“NASA” assured that none of the known large asteroids will hit Earth in the next century, and it is also unlikely to do those that have not been discovered yet.
But she added, “The more information we gather about these crimes, the better we can prepare to deport them in the event that one of them threatens the Earth.”
[Moderator's note: Link to pop science source removed.]
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