Two Newly Discovered Asteroids Set to Safely Pass by Earth
An asteroid the size of 33 armadillos is set to pass by Earth on Sunday according to NASA
NASA has confirmed that an asteroid, named 2023 FL2, will be passing by Earth on Sunday. The asteroid is estimated to have a diameter of around 35 meters and will be approximately 4.6 million kilometers away from our planet when it passes. Despite its size, it poses no risk of hitting Earth, and previous asteroid impacts have not caused any damage.
Planetary defense scientists work towards preventing asteroid impacts
The field of planetary defense continues to advance efforts towards identifying and preventing dangerous asteroids from impacting Earth. NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Mission successfully crashed a spacecraft into the asteroid Dimorphous, altering its trajectory. While 2023 FL2 passing by poses no threat, events like this continue to promote research in planetary defense.
Newly discovered asteroid set to pass between Earth and the moon on Saturday afternoon
Another asteroid, named 2023 DZ2, is set to pass between Earth and the Moon on Saturday afternoon. This new discovery was made by astronomers at the observatory of La Palma in Spain in February. Measuring over 200 feet wide, it will pass by at a distance of approximately half the distance between the Moon and Earth at about 3:51 pm Eastern Time on Saturday.
The risk of a collision
While there is only a slim chance of it impacting Earth in a few years, its probability stands at 1 in 38 million for hitting our planet on March 27, 2026. Astronomers will observe its approach to learn more about planetary defense efforts with the International Asteroid Warning Network participating in studying how to protect the planet against such threats.
NASA reports that asteroids that are larger than 82 feet but smaller than 3,280 feet would likely cause local damage to the impact area.
Exploring the new discovery
Astronomers will use the close approach of 2023 DZ2 to learn more about the asteroid, part of a group classified as Near Earth Objects (NEOs), and its composition. The current estimates suggest it has a diameter of around 210 feet (64 meters). It is traveling at a speed of 17,403 miles per hour (28,008 km/h), slower than most space rocks studied by astronomers.
Some small telescopes will be able to detect the asteroid as it speeds past, and it posed only a minimal risk of impact with Earth in 2026. Officials have since removed it from the Sentry Risk Table.
Best time to see the asteroid
The best time to see 2023 DZ2 from the Northern Hemisphere will be early on Friday night, March 24, 2023. This close approach of asteroids provides opportunities for astronomers to learn more about these celestial bodies that could pose threats in the future.
In conclusion, while two asteroids are passing by Earth safely, they provide insightful opportunities for researchers to study them closer and make progress in ensuring our planet’s safety from future asteroid impacts.
