This week, Earth will have close encounters with a total of seven asteroids. The biggest asteroid that will zip past Earth is almost as long as a football field.

The first asteroid that’s set to visit Earth is called 2019 KG3. Currently, it is moving at a speed of 15,000 miles per hour and has a diameter of 39 meters. It is expected to approach the planet on June 11 at 6:15 am EST. Once it approaches, the asteroid is expected to be within a distance of 0.04187 astronomical units or about 3.9 million miles.

Following 2019 KG3 is the asteroid 2019 LB. It is scheduled to fly by Earth on June 12 at 2:38 pm EST. 2019 LB has a speed of about 13,500 miles per hour and will approach Earth by 0.02336 astronomical units or around 2.2 million miles. The asteroid has a maximum diameter of 54 meters.

On June 14, three asteroids will be making close visits to Earth. The first asteroid, called 2019 LL1 has a diameter of 26 meters and will fly by Earth at 12:06 pm EST. It will approach at a close distance of 0.01436 astronomical units or around 1.3 million miles. The asteroid is currently travelling at a speed of around 19,800 miles per hour.

Closely following 2019 LL1 is the asteroid 2013 YA14. This asteroid is one of the biggest near-Earth objects among the group with an estimated diameter of 110 meters. It will arrive on June 14 at 5:49 pm EST and will approach the planet within a distance of 0.02288 astronomical units or around 2.1 million miles. It is currently travelling at a speed of 24,900 miles per hour.

The last asteroid that will be approaching Earth on June 14 is 2019 KJ. It is expected to arrive at 6:15 pm EST. The asteroid is as big as 2013 YA14 and will zip past Earth at a distance of 0.03235 astronomical units or around 3 million miles away. 2019 KJ is moving at a speed of 18,000 miles per hour.

Finally, on June 16, two asteroids will be approaching Earth. The asteroid 2019 LU will fly by Earth on 11:50 am EST while 2019 LR’s arrival is expected at 2:29 pm EST. The former has a diameter of 58 meters, while the latter is 57 meters long.

2019 LR will approach Earth at 0.04510 astronomical units or 4.2 million miles, while 2019 LU will fly at a much closer distance at 0.01057 astronomical units or about 983,000 miles. 2019 LU is travelling at a speed of 17,800 miles per hour while 2019 LR has a velocity of 33,600 miles per hour.

asteroids_passing_earth
Pictured; an artistic illustration of an asteroid flying by Earth. NASA
RELATED STORIES
NASA Asteroid Earth Space