Asteroid 200m is heading towards Earth

NASA is keeping a close eye on a giant asteroid that is about to pass Earth in late May at 25,750 km/h.

Ƭlarge object flies towards the named planet 2023 CL3, estimated to be about 200 m wide. ƝASA classifies this asteroid as “Approaching close to Earth”. This group includes space rocks that require further research.

Simulation of an asteroid passing by the Earth.

Simulation of an asteroid passing by the Earth. (Photo: HO CHI MINH Times).

2023 CL3 is twice the size of the Statue of Liberty (about 93m high if the podium is included and 46m if the statue is counted). An asteroid of this size can cause serious damage if it hits the Earth. This is why if the asteroid is less than 7.5 million km away and more than 140 m away, it is generally assessed as “Potentially dangerous” Ƅ by space agencies.

As expected, Asteroid 2023 will pass by Earth on May 24 at a distance of just 7.2 million km. It’s not a huge astronomical distance. Experts predict that the large asteroid will pass safely close to Earth at a speed of over 25,750 km/h.

Asteroids are small asteroids that orbit the Sun. NASA estimates that there are 1,113,527 asteroids in the solar system. They orbit the Sun and are concentrated in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. However, due to its relatively small size, the asteroid is sensitive to the effects of gravity and has an orbit that crosses the orbits of planets, according to Jay Tate, director of the Spaceguard Observatory in the UK. Most asteroids are between 10 m and 529 km in size.

Scientists are rapidly developing methods to protect the Earth from dangerous asteroids. Previously, a group of scientists from the ASA published 4 studies confirming successfully changed the trajectory of a small asteroid after a spacecraft hit it directly. Ongoing serial missions will seek to increase the effectiveness of this planetary defense technique.

Article source: VnExpress