NASA has alerted the public about two asteroids, 2024 YA10 and 2024 BM1, which are set to pass near Earth this Wednesday. Despite the close encounters, the space agency has reassured that neither asteroid poses a threat to the planet’s safety.
The first asteroid, 2024 YA10, is approximately 20.42 meters in diameter and will travel at a speed of 43,000 kilometers per hour. It will make its closest approach at 3:55 pm, coming within 3.39 million kilometers of Earth. Although this may seem close in astronomical terms, NASA confirms this distance is still considered safe.
Also Read: NASA Reconnects with Voyager 2 Probe
The second asteroid, 2024 BM1, is slightly larger, measuring 21.03 meters across and moving at a speed of 32,650 kilometers per hour. This asteroid will pass Earth at 5:23 pm, maintaining a safe distance of 4.41 million kilometers. NASA emphasized that neither of these asteroids qualifies as a Potentially Hazardous Object (PHO), as they do not meet the size and proximity criteria required for classification.
NASA closely monitors Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) using ground-based and space-based telescopes. Key observatories, including the Catalina Sky Survey and NEOWISE, play a critical role in tracking these objects to ensure Earth’s safety. In addition to the asteroid flybys, the Quadrantid meteor shower is visible to skywatchers worldwide, offering a chance to see up to 120 meteors per hour.
Despite the excitement surrounding these cosmic events, NASA assures the public that Earth is safe, and there is no cause for concern.
