A giant asteroid 1,600 feet wide, larger than the Empire State Building in New York, will be dangerously close to Earth in 72 hours, NASA scientists predict.
The Space Rock – designated 388945 (2008 TZ3) – is expected to take its closest approach on Sunday, May 15.
According to NASA’s Near Earth Object (NEO), the size of the space rock is estimated at about 1,150 to 2,560 feet (350 to 780 meters) in diameter. It is currently moving in space at about 23,300 miles per hour (37,400 kilometers per hour).
According to Live Science, at its closest approach to Earth, its speed will be about 30 times faster than the speed of sound and will cross Earth’s orbit within 2 million miles (3.2 million kilometers).
But fortunately, its risk to humans will be almost non-existent, because the Earth will keep it 3.5 million miles from us.
NASA is closely following the rock and revealed that it will be a “close approach” in space, reported The New York Times.
It should be noted that this is not the only time this asteroid has visited Earth. In 2020, it came even closer to 1.7 million miles.
The asteroid actually crossed Earth without any problems.
It routinely gives the Earth a wave every two years as it orbits the Sun just like our planet.
It should increase again in May 2024, but much further to 6.9 million miles.
The next time will be as close as this weekend, it will not be until May 2163.
(Contributed by agencies)
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