Asteroid makes a close call, a bigger one to pass by Earth next. Here's what you must know

A bus-sized asteroid made its closest approach to Earth on Monday (May 6)andanotheris setto fly past Earth at a close distance this week.

The first asteroidwhich camenear our planet was a 7-metre-long (22-feet) space rock. It was named 2024 JFandmade its closest approach at 8:04 pm ET tonight (1204 GMT on Tuesday).

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This asteroid isbeing followedby anotheronewhichis10 metres long (32 feet)andisnamed 2024 JR1.Itis likely tomake its closest approach on Tuesday (May 7).

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According to Asteroid Watch,which isa dashboard by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory of near-Earth asteroids andcomets, the first space rock was nearly 295,000 miles (475,000 kilometres) away from our planet when it made its closest approach.

Asteroid Watch is known to track objects whose orbits bring them at a distance of 4.6 million miles (7.5 million kilometres) from Earth,nearly20 times the distance tothe moon.

Asteroids to flyby closer thanthe Moon

The asteroid 2024 JR1 will approach Earth at a closer distance, which will be 184,000 miles (296,000 kilometres). The asteroidwas discoveredjust three days back.

While making its closest approach to Earth, the asteroid will be closer than the Moon, which is at a distance of 230,000 miles (370,000 kilometres).

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During its closest approach,the asteroid will be in the constellationUrsa Major, as per The Sky Live.

Two days after asteroid 2024 JR1's closest approach, another space rock called 2024 JD will approach Earth from around 172,741 miles (278,000 kilometres). This asteroidwas discoveredjust a week ago.

Hence, this asteroid will also come closer than the Moon, however, 2024 JD will pose no danger to Earth.

(With inputs from agencies)