Los Angeles, CA – The skies above are playing host to a rare cosmic event as two asteroids, each with the potential to cause catastrophic damage, pass by Earth. Despite the ominous size and proximity of these celestial visitors, there is no cause for alarm as both are on a safe trajectory away from our planet.
Astronomers and space enthusiasts are particularly intrigued by the timing and characteristics of these asteroids. Their close encounters occurred just 42 hours apart, coinciding with the upcoming Asteroid Day, which commemorates the 1908 Tunguska meteor event in Russia, the most significant asteroid impact in modern history.
The first asteroid, named Asteroid (415029) 2011 UL21, comparable in size to Mount Everest, has already made its journey past Earth without incident. The second asteroid, 2024 MK, smaller in size but coming much closer to us, is set to arrive on Saturday morning, passing within 180,200 miles of Earth, closer than the moon’s distance of 238,900 miles.
In a remarkable comparison, 2024 MK is similar in size to Dimorphos, an asteroid NASA deliberately crashed into to test planetary defense technology two years ago. The successful mission altered Dimorphos’s orbit, demonstrating NASA’s capabilities in defending Earth against potential asteroid threats.
For eager stargazers, there is a chance to catch a glimpse of asteroid 2024 MK with a telescope or strong binoculars, best viewed from Hawaii, South America, or the southern U.S. As the asteroid makes its closest approach, opportunities to observe it may arise, especially after nightfall on Saturday.
As these cosmic events unfold, scientists and astronomers continue to monitor the skies, preparing for potential future encounters with asteroids and advancing our understanding of these enigmatic celestial bodies.