January 2024 was filled with numerous asteroid approaches, and February is set to continue the trend. But how do these asteroids get spotted? When NASA’s telescopes track a new Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA), astronomers measure the asteroid’s observed positions in the sky and report them to the Minor Planet Center. The Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) then uses that data to determine the asteroid’s most likely orbit around the Sun, according to NASA. Using its advanced tech, NASA has shed light on as many as three asteroids that are set to pass Earth today, February 19. check details.
Asteroid 2024 CV8
The first asteroid to pass Earth today has been designated Asteroid 2024 CV8 by NASA CNEOS. It is expected to pass Earth at a distance of just 451,000 kilometers. As per the US Space Agency, it is travelling in its orbit at a speed of 61607 kilometers per hour which is almost as fast as a space shuttle!
In terms of size, is it nearly 64 feet wide, making it almost as big as a house. It belongs to the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids, which are Earth-crossing space rocks with semi-major axes larger than Earth’s. These asteroids are named after the humongous 1862 Apollo asteroid, discovered by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth in the 1930s.
Asteroid 2024 CJ6
The second asteroid, given the designation of Asteroid 2024 CJ6, is travelling towards Earth in its orbit at a speed of 55435 kilometers per hour. NASA expects this space rock to fly past Earth at a close margin of approximately 1.7 million kilometers today.
In terms of size, Asteroid 2024 CJ6 has a width of almost 56 feet, which means it is also as big as a house. The asteroid also belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids.
Asteroid 2024 DC
The last asteroid to pass Earth today has been designated Asteroid 2024 DC. It will come as close as 4.7 million kilometers to the planet, and is already travelling it in its orbit around the Sun at a speed of 33306 kilometers per hour. Asteroid 2024 DC is the largest of them all, with a width of nearly 52 feet. It also belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids.
It is important to note that while all three asteroids have been termed as Near-Earth Asteroids due to their close distance of passing, they are not expected to actually impact the planet.
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January 2024 was filled with numerous asteroid approaches, and February is set to continue the trend. But how do these asteroids get spotted? When NASA’s telescopes track a new Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA), astronomers measure the asteroid’s observed positions in the sky and report them to the Minor Planet Center. The Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) then uses that data to determine the asteroid’s most likely orbit around the Sun, according to NASA. Using its advanced tech, NASA has shed light on as many as three asteroids that are set to pass Earth today, February 19. check details.
Asteroid 2024 CV8
The first asteroid to pass Earth today has been designated Asteroid 2024 CV8 by NASA CNEOS. It is expected to pass Earth at a distance of just 451,000 kilometers. As per the US Space Agency, it is travelling in its orbit at a speed of 61607 kilometers per hour which is almost as fast as a space shuttle!
In terms of size, is it nearly 64 feet wide, making it almost as big as a house. It belongs to the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids, which are Earth-crossing space rocks with semi-major axes larger than Earth’s. These asteroids are named after the humongous 1862 Apollo asteroid, discovered by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth in the 1930s.
Asteroid 2024 CJ6
The second asteroid, given the designation of Asteroid 2024 CJ6, is travelling towards Earth in its orbit at a speed of 55435 kilometers per hour. NASA expects this space rock to fly past Earth at a close margin of approximately 1.7 million kilometers today.
In terms of size, Asteroid 2024 CJ6 has a width of almost 56 feet, which means it is also as big as a house. The asteroid also belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids.
Asteroid 2024 DC
The last asteroid to pass Earth today has been designated Asteroid 2024 DC. It will come as close as 4.7 million kilometers to the planet, and is already travelling it in its orbit around the Sun at a speed of 33306 kilometers per hour. Asteroid 2024 DC is the largest of them all, with a width of nearly 52 feet. It also belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids.
It is important to note that while all three asteroids have been termed as Near-Earth Asteroids due to their close distance of passing, they are not expected to actually impact the planet.
Also, read other top stories today:
“TikTok has me in a Chokehold!?” ‘It is hijacking my brain’. Many people have compared the addictive nature of social media to cigarettes, but a team of experts have found ways to help young people addicted to social media. Know how to throw this nasty habit here.
Apple faces a massive fine! It will face a fine after the EU watchdog found that it fell foul of competition rules in thwarting rival music services. Find out more here.
AI assistants to eliminate ‘digital debt’? AI assistants in the workplace are touted as a potential solution to this “availability creep”. But they may not be the silver bullet, despite what big tech wants us to think. Know why here.
One more thing! We are now on WhatsApp channels! Follow us there so you never miss any updates from the world of technology. To follow the HT Tech Channel on WhatsApp, click here to join now!