An asteroid will whiz harmlessly previous Earth this weekend. With the proper tools and timing, you simply would possibly spot it.
Known as 2024 MK, the space rock will make its closest approach to Earth Saturday morning, passing by at about three-quarters the space from Earth to the moon. It was first noticed two weeks in the past by a South African observatory and is about 393 ft to 853 ft (120 meters to 260 meters) huge.
Smaller objects shoot previous Earth on a regular basis, in line with asteroid knowledgeable Davide Farnocchia with NASA’s Heart for Close to-Earth Object Research. Asteroids the dimensions of this newest one fly by about each 25 years or so.
“We will see a couple of of these throughout our lifetimes, nevertheless it’s not one thing that occurs each different day,” he stated.
A 7,579-foot (2,310-meter) asteroid flew safely previous Earth Thursday, nevertheless it was farther away and was solely seen to skilled telescopes.
For Saturday, skywatchers might want to seize a small telescope because the asteroid is not vivid sufficient to be seen with the bare eye. And it will be transferring shortly throughout the southern sky, making it tough to identify.
“The asteroid can be plowing by means of that subject of stars,” stated Nick Moskovitz, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory.
Viewers within the Southern Hemisphere may have one of the best likelihood of seeing it because the asteroid will seem increased overhead. These within the U.S. could need to wait till Saturday night time, when the asteroid could seem much less vivid however can be simpler to identify with out interference from the sun’s blinding gentle.
In the event you miss out, mark your calendar for April 13, 2029, when an asteroid referred to as Apophis will fly by Earth and can be seen to the naked eye from elements of Europe, Africa and Asia.
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A innocent asteroid will whiz previous Earth Saturday. This is the best way to spot it (2024, June 28)
retrieved 28 June 2024
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