NASA warns of 110-foot asteroid approaching Earth.
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NASA has issued an alert about a asteroid Asteroid 2020 RL will be making a close approach to Earth. With a diameter of about 33 meters (about the size of a commercial airliner), it will pass within 4.7 million kilometers of our planet. While this may seem alarmingly close, it is important to note that this distance is more than 12 times the distance between Earth and the Moon, making it a safe passage by cosmic standards.
Asteroid 2020 RL: Speed and trajectory
Asteroid 2020 RL is hurtling through space at an astonishing speed of about 20,000 miles per hour (32,000 kilometers per hour). The speed at which it is traveling is typical of near-Earth objects (NEOs), which are celestial bodies whose orbits bring them close to Earth. NASA’s Near-Earth Object Observations Program, which tracks such objects, has confirmed that 2020 RL does not pose a threat to Earth during this pass.
What makes 2020 noteworthy?
Although not the largest or closest asteroid to pass near Earth, 2020 RL is notable for its size and proximity. Asteroids Asteroids of this size are not rare, but they provide valuable opportunities for scientists to study the composition, trajectory, and potential impact hazards of NEOs. Observations of these objects can help refine models of their orbits and improve our understanding of how asteroids behave when they pass close to Earth.
NASA and other space agencies around the world continuously monitor NEOs to ensure that any potential threats are identified well in advance. Tracking 2020 RL is part of a broader effort to catalog and monitor all significant objects that come close to Earth.
The importance of monitoring near-Earth objects
While 2020 RL is not a threat, it serves as a reminder of the importance of ongoing asteroid detection and monitoring programs. NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) plays a crucial role in identifying and tracking asteroids and comets that could pose a potential threat to Earth. PDCO, along with other international space agencies, works to develop strategies to deflect or mitigate the impact of any potential future threats.
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