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Five massive asteroids will pass by Earth this week- from August 27 to September 1, warns NASA. The American space agency‘s Jet Propulsion Laboratory actively tracks these Near Earth Objects (NEOs) and has confirmed that five asteroids are set to pass by Earth.

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Though NASA has confirmed that these flyby asteroids don’t pose any threats to Earth, they will be close enough for astronomers and scientists to observe them.

Here are the five asteroids that are set to make a flyby to Earth:

Asteroid 2020 RL

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Asteroid 2020 RL is a 110-foot near-Earth asteroid that approached Earth on August 27. The asteroid posed no risk to Earth; however, its size and distance of 46.8 lakh km at the time of its approach were ideal for scientists and asteroid enthusiasts to study these celestial objects.

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Asteroid 2021 RA10

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Set to make its closest approach to Earth at a range of 26.1 lakh km on August 28, Asteroid 2021 RA10 is one of the asteroids that will fly by Earth. The estimated size of this asteroid is 92 feet, which is almost the same size as an aeroplane. Such asteroids are always under strict surveillance for any potential threat by NASA.

Asteroid 2012 SX49

With a diameter of 64 feet and an overall size similar to that of a house, this asteroid is moving towards Earth and will make its closest approach on August 29. Asteroid 2012 SX49 will be at a distance of 42.9 lakh km at its closest. While this too poses no threat, observing it closely helps scientists develop data that will assist them in implementing planetary defence systems.

Asteroid 2016 RJ20

Asteroid 2016 RJ20 is, again, an airplane-sized asteroid, which is 64 feet in size. The nearest this asteroid will come to Earth is at a distance of 6,990,000 kilometres. It will fly by Earth on August 30.

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Asteroid 2021 JT

Among the five asteroids, Asteroid 2021 JT is probably the smallest asteroid approaching Earth. It is just 38 feet in size and will move past Earth on September 1 at a safe distance of about 63.6 lakh kilometres.

Asteroids are nothing but rocky, icy or debris left over the formation of Earth some 4.6 billion years ago and these Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs) are found in the asteroids and are found in a belt between Jupiter and Mars. 

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory plays an essential role in tracking these asteroids using the Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), which uses the data from telescopes to calculate the orbits of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs) and analyze their the possibility of risk to our planet.

(With inputs from agencies)