NASA Detects 2 Asteroids To Zip Past Earth On Friday

KEY POINTS

NASA detected two asteroids approaching Earth
Both asteroids will fly past the planet on Friday
One of the asteroids follows an Earth-crossing orbit

NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has detected two asteroids that are currently headed for Earth. According to the agency's data, one of the approaching asteroids follows an orbit that occasionally intersects Earth’s path.

The first asteroid that’s expected to visit the planet’s neighborhood on Friday is known as 2020 GR2. As indicated in CNEOS’ database, this asteroid has an estimated diameter of 102 feet. It is currently traveling across space at a speed of almost 10,000 miles per hour.

According To NASA, 2020 GR2 is an Apollo asteroid. This means it follows a wide orbit around the Sun. Although it doesn’t intersect Earth’s orbit, it occasionally flies close to Earth during some of its visits.

CNEOS noted that 2020 GR2 would make its near-Earth approach on April 17 at 1:57 p.m. EDT. During this time, the asteroid will be about 0.03188 astronomical units from the planet’s center, which is equivalent to almost 3 million miles away.

2020 GR2 is not expected to return to Earth’s vicinity until Feb. 21, 2080. According to NASA, the asteroid will approach Earth from a much farther distance during its next approach. The agency estimated that the asteroid would be about 0.46357 astronomical units or 43 million miles from Earth during its visit in 2080.

Trailing behind 2020 GR2 is an asteroid known as 2020 GT2. According to CNEOS, this asteroid is much larger and faster than 2020 GR2. The agency estimated that 2020 GT2 measures about 177 feet wide. It is expected to fly past Earth at a speed of over 29,000 miles per hour.

According to NASA’s 2020 GT2 follows an elongated orbit that extends beyond the path of Mars. From time to time, the asteroid is known to intersect Earth’s path as it goes around the Sun. Due to its natural orbit, it has been classified by NASA as an Apollo asteroid.

2020 GT2’s next near-Earth intersection is expected to take place on April 17 at 8:07 p.m. EDT. During this time, the asteroid will zip past the planet on 0.01460 astronomical units or about 1.4 million miles away.

After its visit on Friday, the asteroid will approach Earth once again on Oct. 24. According to NASA, the asteroid will fly past Earth from a distance of 0.32824 astronomical units or about 30 million miles away.