70-story skyscraper asteroid to come close to Earth

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26-10-2024, 21:30

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INA - SOURCES

Astronomers are gearing up for an exciting celestial event as asteroid 2020 WG is set to make a close pass by Earth on October 28.

This near-Earth asteroid, first identified by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), will pass within approximately 3.3 million kilometers (0.02223 AU) from Earth, which is roughly nine times the distance to the Moon.

Although the asteroid’s proximity has drawn significant attention, scientists confirm it poses no threat to Earth.

Estimated to be between 120 to 270 meters wide—roughly the size of a 70-story skyscraper—asteroid 2020 WG is considered a medium-sized Near-Earth Object (NEO).

At this size, an asteroid impact could cause substantial regional effects, making close flybys like this one important opportunity for study.

Moving at a rapid speed of 9.43 kilometers per second, the asteroid’s close approach offers scientists a rare chance to observe it in detail, refining what they know about its trajectory, composition, and behavior.