Asteroid 2012 KP24 to Make Close Approach to Earth on May 31
An asteroid that is about the size of a bus is set to make a close approach to Earth on May 31. The asteroid, 2012 KP24, is estimated to be about 17 meters (56 feet) in diameter and will pass within 10 lunar distances of Earth. This means that it will come within about 3.9 million kilometers of our planet.
While 2012 KP24 is not considered to be a threat to Earth, it is still a relatively large asteroid and its close approach is worth paying attention to. NASA is tracking the asteroid and will continue to monitor its path.
Asteroid 2012 KP24 was first discovered in 2012 by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Arizona. It has been observed by astronomers on numerous occasions since then and its orbit is well-known. The asteroid is expected to make its closest approach to Earth at 11:00 UTC on May 31.
While 2012 KP24 is not a threat to Earth, it is a reminder that asteroids pose a real danger to our planet. In 2013, an asteroid about the size of a car exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, injuring more than 1,000 people. A larger asteroid could cause widespread damage or even extinction.
NASA is working on a number of technologies to deflect asteroids that pose a threat to Earth. These technologies include kinetic impactors, which would use a spacecraft to collide with an asteroid and knock it off course, and gravity tractor, which would use the gravity of a spacecraft to pull an asteroid off course.
While it is impossible to predict when or where the next asteroid impact will occur, NASA is working to reduce the risk to our planet. By tracking asteroids and developing technologies to deflect them, we can help to protect ourselves from this real and present danger.
Comments
Post a Comment