Close Encounter: Massive Space Rock to Whiz Past Earth at 60% of Moon's Distance

John Lopez, Tech Times 25 June 2023, 11:06 am

Tonight, June 25, the near-Earth asteroid 2023 MU2 will gracefully glide within a mere 134,000 miles (215,000 kilometers) of our planet-approximately 60% of the average distance between Earth and the moon.

Though this may sound like an adrenaline-pumping encounter, this celestial wanderer poses no threat to Earth or any orbiting spacecraft.

Close Encounter With Massive Space Rock

According to the NASA/JPL Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), 2023 MU2 is estimated to measure between 13 and 29 feet (3.9 and 8.8 meters) in diameter-comparable to the size of a house or a three-story building.

The asteroid will come closest to Earth at 7:19 p.m. ET (2319 GMT) on June 25.

According to NASA, a box truck-sized asteroid made one of the closest flybys of planet Earth ever recorded. The small near-Earth asteroid, called 2023 BU, flew over the southern tip of South America back in January.

It is worth mentioning that asteroid 2023 MU2 was discovered just a few days ago, on June 16, and was confirmed by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center on June 22.

How to Watch the Near-Earth Asteroid

Observing such asteroids can be challenging for amateur stargazers, but fear not! You can witness this extraordinary event firsthand thanks to the Virtual Telescope Project.

Renowned astronomer Gianluca Masi, based in Rome, will host a live telescope stream of the asteroid's flyby. The stream will commence on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET (2300 GMT). To marvel at this cosmic spectacle, simply visit the Virtual Telescope Project's website or tune in to their YouTube channel.

Prepare to be captivated by our universe's sheer beauty and grandeur as 2023 MU2 embarks on its close journey past Earth. Tune in to the Virtual Telescope Project's livestream, and let the wonders of the cosmos unfold before your eyes.

Should We Be Worried About Asteroids?

Efforts are underway to detect, track, and monitor near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) to identify potential impact risks.

Organizations such as NASA's Near-Earth Object Observations (NEOO) program and other international initiatives actively study asteroids and develop strategies for planetary defense.

Space.com notes that instances like this are pretty common in the world of celestial events. In fact, Earth comes across numerous celestial objects every week, and most of them are not a source of concern.

Today, we witnessed yet another occurrence when asteroid 2023 MW2, approximately the size of a car, safely passed by Earth at a distance of only 77,000 miles (124,000 km).

While these events often grab attention with sensational headlines, there is no need to worry excessively. NASA has diligently observed asteroids that come close to Earth and has documented an impressive 32,000 of them so far.

The reassuring news is that none of these known asteroids pose a significant threat to our planet in the next hundred years.

You can be confident that scientific progress and ongoing monitoring endeavors have provided us with valuable knowledge and an increased sense of safety when it comes to potential encounters with heavenly bodies.

Stay posted here at Tech Times.