A week full of asteroid visits to the Earth is concluding with another one zooming past Earth at a close distance on the night of Dec 6. The space rock measured five feet in diameter and has been named 2024 XS2. It will be at its closest point to our planet for the next 10 years tonight at 9:47 pm EST.

It would be only 196,000 kilometres away from Earth, almost half the distance the Moon is from us. The average distance of the Moon from Earth is 384,500 km. This would make it easier for amateur telescopes to pick it up. However, the asteroid won't be easily viewable in the northern hemisphere. In the southern sky, it would zoom between two constellations, the Dolphinfish and Reticulum.

Asteroid 2024 XS2 was discovered in March this year. Its orbit means it approaches the sun closer than Earth does. This is the case with the Apollo class of asteroids. Much of the Nearth-Earth objects (NEOs) that zoom past Earth belong to this group.

<h2>Asteroid in Siberia</h2>

The latest approach comes just days after an asteroid impacted Earth over Siberia. It was discovered only hours before it hit the atmosphere, making it the fourth imminent impactor of 2024. It was only 28 inches wide and entered the atmosphere at around 1:15 am local time on December 4. It exploded into a fireball and was caught on camera by several people.&nbsp;

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It was initially named C0WEPC5 and was officially designated 2024 XA1. Fragments of the space rock are believed to have littered the city of Oleminsk. The European Space Agency noticed the asteroid at 4:27 am ET the previous day and issued an alert, stating "the impact will be harmless."

Just the next day, a huge asteroid, made its closest approach to Earth. The "potentially hazardous" 1,200ft asteroid 2020 XR zipped past Earth at 12:27 am ET on December 4 (10:57 am IST). Travelling at a speed of 44,300 kilometres per hour, it reached a minimum distance of 2.2 million kilometres from Earth.

It had visited us in 1977 as well, although at that time it hadn't been discovered. When it was spotted flying in space, astronomers thought that it would hit Earth in 2028. However, later calculations brushed off the scare.&nbsp;

<h2>Apophis in 2029</h2>

Apophis is the other asteroid scientists are keeping a&nbsp;watch on. It will fly by Earth in 2029 and was seen as a danger for the longest time. But as its trajectory was studied, astronomers found that it would miss hitting the planet. However, it is still of interest and multiple space agencies are planning on studying the asteroid upon its close visit.&nbsp;

NASA has prepared the OSIRIS-APEX mission that will fly by Apophis in April and study its composition and surface in June when it begins its 18-month stay on the asteroid.&nbsp;

ESA's &nbsp;Ramses mission will rendezvous with Apophis in February 2029 and will stay with it as it approaches Earth. Besides studying the usual elements of the asteroid, the mission will also look at how the planet's gravity affects it. 
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A week full of asteroid visits to the Earth is concluding with another one zooming past Earth at a close distance on the night of Dec 6. The space rock measured five feet in diameter and has been named 2024 XS2.

A week full of asteroid visits to the Earth is concluding with another one zooming past Earth at a close distance on the night of Dec 6. The space rock measured five feet in diameter and has been named 2024 XS2. It will be at its closest point to our planet for the next 10 years tonight at 9:47 pm EST. It would be only 196,000 kilometres away from Earth, almost half the distance the Moon is from us. The average distance of the Moon from Earth is 384,500 km. This would make it easier for amateur telescopes to pick it up. However, the asteroid won't be easily viewable in the northern hemisphere. In the southern sky, it would zoom between two constellations, the Dolphinfish and Reticulum. Asteroid 2024 XS2 was discovered in March this year. Its orbit means it approaches the sun closer than Earth does. This is the case with the Apollo class of asteroids. Much of the Nearth-Earth objects (NEOs) that zoom past Earth belong to this group. Asteroid in Siberia The latest approach comes just days after an asteroid impacted Earth over Siberia. It was discovered only hours before it hit the atmosphere, making it the fourth imminent impactor of 2024. It was only 28 inches wide and entered the atmosphere at around 1:15 am local time on December 4. It exploded into a fireball and was caught on camera by several people. Also Read: Asteroid in Siberia: Fourth imminent impactor of 2024 strikes over Yakutia It was initially named C0WEPC5 and was officially designated 2024 XA1. Fragments of the space rock are believed to have littered the city of Oleminsk. The European Space Agency noticed the asteroid at 4:27 am ET the previous day and issued an alert, stating "the impact will be harmless." Just the next day, a huge asteroid, made its closest approach to Earth. The "potentially hazardous" 1,200ft asteroid 2020 XR zipped past Earth at 12:27 am ET on December 4 (10:57 am IST). Travelling at a speed of 44,300 kilometres per hour, it reached a minimum distance of 2.2 million kilometres from Earth. It had visited us in 1977 as well, although at that time it hadn't been discovered. When it was spotted flying in space, astronomers thought that it would hit Earth in 2028. However, later calculations brushed off the scare. Apophis in 2029 Apophis is the other asteroid scientists are keeping a watch on. It will fly by Earth in 2029 and was seen as a danger for the longest time. But as its trajectory was studied, astronomers found that it would miss hitting the planet. However, it is still of interest and multiple space agencies are planning on studying the asteroid upon its close visit. NASA has prepared the OSIRIS-APEX mission that will fly by Apophis in April and study its composition and surface in June when it begins its 18-month stay on the asteroid. ESA's Ramses mission will rendezvous with Apophis in February 2029 and will stay with it as it approaches Earth. Besides studying the usual elements of the asteroid, the mission will also look at how the planet's gravity affects it.

Another asteroid racing towards Earth today will be even closer than the Moon

Asteroids routinely fly by Earth, mostly at a safe distance, but scientists keep a close watch on these cosmic visitors to be prepared in case one of them poses a threat to our planet. One such asteroid is Apophis, which is set to come extremely close in the year 2029. The Eiffel-Tower-sized space rock will fly by at a distance of 32,000 kilometres on April 13, which is a tenth of the distance to the Moon.&nbsp;

Asteroid 99942 Apophis has been categorised as hazardous because of it size and the distance at which it will fly by.&nbsp;Scientists first discovered it in 2004 and for years it was believed to pose a threat to Earth, with some suggesting that it might collide with us one day. However, later studies found that while it will come extremely close to us, it will not strike.

Scientists are now planning to make use of this extremely rare encounter to study the asteroid and to prevent any future collisions. Rapid Apophis Mission for Security and Safety (RAMSES) is one such plan announced by the European Space Agency (ESA). Under it, the agency will send a spacecraft to the asteroid to learn more about its shape, size, mass and rotation through space, along with its composition and structure.

Dr Holger Krag, the head of the ESA’s space safety programme office, says that the flyby is extremely unique as no asteroid is expected to come this close to Earth for thousands of years. At 20,000 miles, you might even be able to see it with the naked eye.&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/meteor-seen-soaring-over-new-york-sky-people-say-the-ground-was-shaking-741546">The ground shook as a fireball soared over the New York sky: Reports</a>

<h2>What will happen to Apophis?</h2>

Apophis is an Earth-crossing space rock, and it will interact with the planet in some ways. It will come closer than the geostationary satellites that are responsible for television broadcasting, navigation systems and weather forecasting. Dr Krag says that this is when the asteroid will truly begin to interact with Earth. When this happens, something might change in it and through the mission, scientists are hoping to learn more about them.&nbsp;

What will lead to these changes is the "gravity field of the Earth that will basically slightly reshape the asteroid, causing it to change its form,” he said. One of the major events that can happen on the asteroid due to Earth's gravitational pull is landslides, Dr Krag said.

Dr Krag says that they&nbsp;aim to characterise asteroids in such a way that they can deflect them if they ever become dangerous.

A massive asteroid strike is what killed the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, which is why it becomes important to know about the risks beforehand so tangible action can be taken against them.&nbsp;

<h2>Other plans for Apophis</h2>

Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origins had earlier proposed using the Blue Ring orbital platform to deliver payloads to the asteroid. It is expected to debut by the end of this year.

&nbsp;

Asteroids routinely fly by Earth, mostly at a safe distance, but scientists keep a close watch on these cosmic visitors to be prepared in case one of them poses a threat to our planet.

Asteroids routinely fly by Earth, mostly at a safe distance, but scientists keep a close watch on these cosmic visitors to be prepared in case one of them poses a threat to our planet. One such asteroid is Apophis, which is set to come extremely close in the year 2029. The Eiffel-Tower-sized space rock will fly by at a distance of 32,000 kilometres on April 13, which is a tenth of the distance to the Moon. Asteroid 99942 Apophis has been categorised as hazardous because of it size and the distance at which it will fly by. Scientists first discovered it in 2004 and for years it was believed to pose a threat to Earth, with some suggesting that it might collide with us one day. However, later studies found that while it will come extremely close to us, it will not strike. Scientists are now planning to make use of this extremely rare encounter to study the asteroid and to prevent any future collisions. Rapid Apophis Mission for Security and Safety (RAMSES) is one such plan announced by the European Space Agency (ESA). Under it, the agency will send a spacecraft to the asteroid to learn more about its shape, size, mass and rotation through space, along with its composition and structure. Dr Holger Krag, the head of the ESA’s space safety programme office, says that the flyby is extremely unique as no asteroid is expected to come this close to Earth for thousands of years. At 20,000 miles, you might even be able to see it with the naked eye. Also Read: The ground shook as a fireball soared over the New York sky: Reports What will happen to Apophis? Apophis is an Earth-crossing space rock, and it will interact with the planet in some ways. It will come closer than the geostationary satellites that are responsible for television broadcasting, navigation systems and weather forecasting. Dr Krag says that this is when the asteroid will truly begin to interact with Earth. When this happens, something might change in it and through the mission, scientists are hoping to learn more about them. What will lead to these changes is the "gravity field of the Earth that will basically slightly reshape the asteroid, causing it to change its form,” he said. One of the major events that can happen on the asteroid due to Earth's gravitational pull is landslides, Dr Krag said. Dr Krag says that they aim to characterise asteroids in such a way that they can deflect them if they ever become dangerous. A massive asteroid strike is what killed the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, which is why it becomes important to know about the risks beforehand so tangible action can be taken against them. Other plans for Apophis Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origins had earlier proposed using the Blue Ring orbital platform to deliver payloads to the asteroid. It is expected to debut by the end of this year.

Landslides on asteroid? Apophis might witness a few when it crosses Earth, experts say

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Another asteroid racing towards Earth today will be even closer than the Moon

Landslides on asteroid? Apophis might witness a few when it crosses Earth, experts say