NASA warns against 368-foot asteroid speeding towards Earth | - Times of India

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NASA

has sounded the alarm on a significant asteroid hurtling towards Earth, dubbed "2015 KJ19." This colossal space rock measures 368 feet (112 meters) in size and races through space at an astonishing speed of 83,175 kilometers per hour. Scheduled for its closest approach on May 14, 2024, at 02:43 UTC (08:13 AM IST for those in India), it will pass within approximately 6 million kilometers of our planet.

While seemingly vast to human perception, in the grand scale of space, this distance is merely a hair's breadth.

Belonging to the

Apollo group of asteroids

, notorious for intersecting Earth's path, 2015 KJ19 presents an awe-inspiring spectacle. Estimated to be the size of a building, it captures the imagination of skywatchers worldwide. Despite its impressive speed, there's no cause for alarm as it will maintain a safe distance of 6 million kilometers during its close encounter, equivalent to 15 times the distance between Earth and the Moon.

Thankfully, NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) diligently tracks asteroids and comets to assess any potential impact threats. While 2015 KJ19 falls outside the designated "potentially hazardous" zone, CNEOS relies on a global network of observatories and contributions from amateur astronomers to precisely determine the orbital paths of near-Earth objects. Additionally, powerful observatories like Pan-STARRS and NEOWISE aid in tracking these celestial bodies, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their movements.

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Although the asteroid may be too faint to be visible to the naked eye, astronomy enthusiasts armed with telescopes may have the opportunity to observe it during its close approach. Classified as an Apollo-class asteroid, it's a reminder of the countless objects that dance through our solar system, often unnoticed. As it makes its closest approach, estimated to be around 6.04 million kilometers from Earth, 2015 KJ19 emphasises the vastness of space and the significance of tracking Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) for both scientific curiosity and planetary defense.

More about NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS)

NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), housed within the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), diligently calculates the orbits of asteroids and comets, assessing their threat to Earth. As the vanguard of NASA's planetary defense, CNEOS provides precise data on Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), predicting close approaches and impact probabilities. It collaborates closely with NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office, ensuring meticulous monitoring and study of celestial threats.

Utilizing tools like the Sentry impact risk table and the Close Approach Data table, CNEOS plays a pivotal role in protecting Earth from cosmic threats. It epitomizes NASA's dedication to meticulous hazard mitigation, ensuring the safety of our planet with unparalleled precision and diligence.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is a pivotal center for robotic exploration of the solar system and beyond. As a federally funded research and development center managed by Caltech, JPL has been at the forefront of space exploration since its inception. With missions that have reached every planet in the solar system, JPL's contributions to our understanding of space have been monumental. The laboratory is renowned for its innovative spacecraft and rovers, such as the Mars Perseverance rover, which is part of the Mars 2020 mission aiming to return samples from Mars to Earth. JPL also operates the NASA Deep Space Network, which is essential for communication with missions throughout the solar system. Their work continues to push the boundaries of science and technology, seeking to answer fundamental questions about our place in the universe.

Deep Space Network and future endeavors

At the heart of JPL's operations lies the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN), an essential communication infrastructure linking Earth to its interplanetary missions. This network serves as a vital conduit for transmitting data across the solar system, ensuring that missions like Mars 2020 can share their discoveries with Earth. Moving forward, JPL's ambitions are poised to push the boundaries of science and technology even further.

With a primary focus on robotic exploration, JPL remains steadfast in its mission to unlock the universe's secrets, ranging from the quest for extraterrestrial life to probing the origins of our solar system. Their unwavering commitment to expanding human knowledge continues to shed light on the cosmos, solidifying JPL's position as a pioneering force in space exploration.

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