NASA has warned that a cosmic body larger than the Eiffel Tower would reach our planet’s orbit in just over a week. The asteroid 4660 Nereus is almost 300 meters long and will approach Earth on December 11.
The Nereus is classified as ‘potentially dangerous’ due of the distance. However, the US space agency says there is no need to worry as the asteroid would not hit the so-called blue planet.
An asteroid that is taller than the Eiffel Tower is set to pass by Earth on Dec. 11. The asteroid, named 4660 Nereus, has a lot of potential for exploration.
— Seeker (@Seeker) November 23, 2021
Learn more here: https://t.co/VayhRnxXUM about @NASA's solution if an asteroid was on a collision course to Earth. pic.twitter.com/uzYe5aFQSq
According to NASA, the heavenly body will pass in front of the Earth at a speed of more than 23,600 kilometers per hour, remaining around 3.8 million kilometers away. This distance is ten times greater than the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
Evidence on other celestial bodies
Although apparently distant, NASA considers that any object that passes within 193 kilometers is considered close to Earth. The government agency has a list in which it collects these celestial bodies that it constantly updates. Likewise, space organizations classify as ‘potentially dangerous’ one that approaches about 6 million kilometers.
In 1982, astronomer Eleanor Helin discovered asteroid 4660 Nereus, which frequently passes close to Earth. Both NASA and the Japanese space agency JAXA have calculated the likelihood of it being diverted from its current course. This conclusion is based on the reality that even a minor deviation from its ‘course’ would signal calamity for our planet. The 25143 Itokawa is now being used to conduct redirection testing.
Image Credit: Getty
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