Asteroids approaching earth today: All about this close encounter – Times of India

In an era where space agencies are constantly on alert for happenings in the vast space, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), ESA (European Space Agency), and other global space organisations have harnessed cutting-edge technology to monitor and even deflect asteroids that come dangerously close to Earth. Today, on September 11, 2023, NASA has come out with critical details about an approaching space visitor, Asteroid 2023 RU, emphasising the crucial role such monitoring plays in safeguarding our planet.
Details about Asteroid 2023 RU
Through a network of satellites, space-based telescopes, and ground observatories, NASA has been tracking Asteroid 2023 RU. This asteroid is currently en route to Earth and is anticipated to make its closest approach at a distance of approximately 4 million kilometers. What’s truly astonishing is the asteroid’s staggering speed, flying through space at a pace of 72,951 kilometers per hour. This Asteroid belongs to the Apollo group of Near Earth Asteroids. It is of a size between 65 to 130 feet wide, which roughly makes it the size of an aircraft.

Role of NASA’s constant monitoringNASA’s vigilance extends to a vast population of Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs). By employing telescopes to precisely pinpoint the positions of newly discovered NEAs, NASA contributes this invaluable data to the Minor Planet Center. The Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) then harnesses this information to compute the most probable orbits of these space rocks around the Sun. To assess potential impact scenarios, NASA utilizes the Sentry program, which relies on a sophisticated algorithm.

Recent close encounter of Asteroid 2023 RL
Asteroid 2023 RL made its recent pass by Earth. Measuring 24 feet in width, roughly the size of a bus, it sped by at a speed of 19,376 kilometers per hour. It maintained a safe distance of 755,000 kilometers from our planet. This particular asteroid belongs to the Aten group, characterized by its close proximity to Earth. With an orbit lasting 347 days (0.95 years), Aten ventures as near as 0.79 AU (astronomical units) to the Sun and retreats as far as 1.14 AU.

There are some other asteroids that are going to pass by the earth in the next two days. Asteroid 2023 RK will also pass earth today at a distance of 6 million kilometers. other asteroids like, Asteroid 2023 RC1 which is approximately 20 feet in size which is roughly a size of a bus and Asteroid 2023 RO1 of 68 feet which amounts for an airplane, will pass earth on September 12th, 2023, at a safe distance and posing no threat to the planet.

While asteroids remain an ever-present concern, NASA’s vigilance and constant tracking and analysis systems act as a cosmic guardian. The recent flyby of Asteroid 2023 RL serves as a poignant reminder of the paramount importance of tracking them and continuously refining the knowledge of their celestial pathways. The technological advancements remain as a shield against the unpredictability of the cosmos, ensuring the planet’s safety in the vast expanse of space.