NASA Detects Two Asteroids To Zip Past Earth At Over 17,000 MPH

KEY POINTS

NASA detected two asteroids currently approaching Earth that will safely fly past the planet
2010 NY65 is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid
2020 MP1 will approach Earth from almost the same distance as the Moon

NASA’s automated asteroid tracking system has spotted two near-Earth objects that are currently approaching the planet. According to the data collected by the agency, one of the asteroids will approach Earth from a distance that’s almost equivalent to that between the Earth and the Moon.

The two asteroids were detected by NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). The first asteroid that will fly past Earth tomorrow has been identified as 2010 NY65. This asteroid has an estimated diameter of 1,017 feet. It is currently moving towards Earth at a speed of almost 29,000 miles per hour.

According to the asteroid’s orbit diagram, 2010 NY65 occasionally crosses Earth’s path as it completes its cycle around the Sun. Due to its natural orbit, it has been labeled as an Apollo asteroid. Given its size and near-Earth orbit, 2010 NY65 has been classified by NASA as potentially hazardous.

Trailing behind 2010 NY65 is an asteroid known as 2020 MP1. According to CNEOS, this space rock measures about 135 feet wide. It is currently traveling across space towards Earth at a speed of over 17,000 miles per hour.

Given the sizes of the two asteroids, they will have different effects on Earth during a collision. For instance, 2020 MP1 will most likely not hit the ground during an impact event. Due to its size, it will probably detonate mid-air after entering Earth’s atmosphere.

2010 NY65, however, is big enough to cause a major impact event on Earth. If this asteroid hits the planet, the impact will create a crater that’s several miles wide. The blast that will be generated by the impact will be powerful enough to destroy everything in its surroundings.

Fortunately, CNEOS noted that both asteroids are not in danger of hitting Earth during their upcoming flybys. According to the agency, 2010 NY65 will fly past Earth on Wednesday (June 24) at 1:44 a.m. EDT from a safe distance of 0.02512 astronomical units, or roughly 2.3 million miles away.

2020 MP1, on the other hand, is expected to approach the planet on June 24 at 9:04 p.m. EDT. During this time, the asteroid will be about 0.00305 astronomical units or 284,000 miles from Earth, which is almost equivalent to the distance between the planet and the Moon.