<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<h2><strong>Asteroid in Siberia</strong></h2>

<p>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;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/asteroid-in-siberia-fourth-imminent-impactor-of-2024-strikes-over-yakutia-781292">Asteroid in Siberia: Fourth imminent impactor of 2024 strikes over Yakutia</a></strong></p>

<p>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."</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>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;</p>

<h2>Apophis in 2029</h2>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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;</p>

<p>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.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


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

<p>A "potentially hazardous" asteroid skimmed past Earth at 12:27 am ET on December 4 (10:57 am IST). The huge space rock, about the size of a football stadium, reached a minimum distance of 2.2 million kilometres from Earth, travelling at a speed of 44,300 kilometres per hour. This was the closest it had ever come to our planet.&nbsp;The encounter came a day after an asteroid entered Earth's atmosphere over Siberia.</p>

<p>The European Space Agency (ESA) said that people interested in catching a glimpse of the asteroid can see it live via the Virtual Telescope Project (VTP).&nbsp;</p>

<p>Asteroid 2020 XR came eerily close to Earth but astronomers measured its trajectory and said that it wouldn't pose any threat to Earth. But it is extremely huge and measures approximately 1,200 feet in diameter, big enough to devastate a small city.</p>

<p>The space rock is classified as a near-Earth object (NEO) and has paid us a visit in the past as well. Its last trip to Earth was in 1977, long before it was discovered by scientists. However, at the time, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), it was 16 million km away from Earth.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/asteroid-in-siberia-fourth-imminent-impactor-of-2024-strikes-over-yakutia-781292">Asteroid in Siberia: Fourth imminent impactor of 2024 strikes over Yakutia</a></strong></p>

<p>ESA said in a statement that when asteroid 2020 XR was discovered, scientists thought that it would impact Earth in 2028. "When astronomers first discovered 2020 XR, they thought it had a small chance of impacting Earth in 2028," Juan Luis Cano, coordinator of the ESA's Near-Earth Object Coordination Center, said.</p>

<p>However, they carried out more calculations and looked at its history, after which they concluded that it would not harm the planet in any way. In fact, it would be even farther from us than its last trip. Asteroid 2020 XR will be at a minimum distance of 18.2 million km when it flies by in 2028.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the year 2196, which is 172 years later, it would once again be extremely close to Earth.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Asteroid over Siberia</strong></h2>

<p>On December 3, Earth greeted its fourth imminent impactor of the year 2024. The asteroid hit the planet over Siberia hours after being discovered. The small space rock measured around 1.6 to 4 feet, about the size of a small bicycle tyre. It was initially named C0WEPC5 and was later officially designated 2024 XA1.</p>

<p>NASA regularly keeps an eye on incoming asteroids and ones that might pose a threat to Earth. Any NEOs that are observed to come within 7,500,000 km of Earth and are larger than 500 feet are considered to be "potentially hazardous."&nbsp;</p>


A "potentially hazardous" asteroid skimmed past Earth at 12:27 am ET on December 4 (10:57 am IST). The huge space rock, about the size of a football stadium, reached a minimum distance of 2.

A "potentially hazardous" asteroid skimmed past Earth at 12:27 am ET on December 4 (10:57 am IST). The huge space rock, about the size of a football stadium, reached a minimum distance of 2.2 million kilometres from Earth, travelling at a speed of 44,300 kilometres per hour. This was the closest it had ever come to our planet. The encounter came a day after an asteroid entered Earth's atmosphere over Siberia. The European Space Agency (ESA) said that people interested in catching a glimpse of the asteroid can see it live via the Virtual Telescope Project (VTP). Asteroid 2020 XR came eerily close to Earth but astronomers measured its trajectory and said that it wouldn't pose any threat to Earth. But it is extremely huge and measures approximately 1,200 feet in diameter, big enough to devastate a small city. The space rock is classified as a near-Earth object (NEO) and has paid us a visit in the past as well. Its last trip to Earth was in 1977, long before it was discovered by scientists. However, at the time, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), it was 16 million km away from Earth. Also Read: Asteroid in Siberia: Fourth imminent impactor of 2024 strikes over Yakutia ESA said in a statement that when asteroid 2020 XR was discovered, scientists thought that it would impact Earth in 2028. "When astronomers first discovered 2020 XR, they thought it had a small chance of impacting Earth in 2028," Juan Luis Cano, coordinator of the ESA's Near-Earth Object Coordination Center, said. However, they carried out more calculations and looked at its history, after which they concluded that it would not harm the planet in any way. In fact, it would be even farther from us than its last trip. Asteroid 2020 XR will be at a minimum distance of 18.2 million km when it flies by in 2028. In the year 2196, which is 172 years later, it would once again be extremely close to Earth. Asteroid over Siberia On December 3, Earth greeted its fourth imminent impactor of the year 2024. The asteroid hit the planet over Siberia hours after being discovered. The small space rock measured around 1.6 to 4 feet, about the size of a small bicycle tyre. It was initially named C0WEPC5 and was later officially designated 2024 XA1. NASA regularly keeps an eye on incoming asteroids and ones that might pose a threat to Earth. Any NEOs that are observed to come within 7,500,000 km of Earth and are larger than 500 feet are considered to be "potentially hazardous."

Asteroid 2020 XR: 1,200ft space rock skims past Earth after 47 years

<p>A small asteroid collided with Earth on Wednesday and burnt up over the Philippines. The European Space Agency (ESA) said that the asteroid was 3-foot (1-metre) long and struck the atmosphere around 12:46 p.m. ET on September 4 above the western Pacific Ocean near Luzon Island.</p>

<p>Named 2024 RW1, the steroid was discovered by research technologist Jacqueline Fazekas with the NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey, just hours before it collided. It is a NASA-funded observatory near Tucson, Arizona and tracks and catalogues near-Earth objects. ESA informed in an X post that the asteroid was only the ninth to have been spotted prior to impact.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">📣UPDATE: We expect the ~1 m asteroid discovered this morning to strike Earth's atmosphere over the Philippines near Luzon Island at 16:46 UTC today.<br />
<br />
However the nearby tropical storm Yagi/Enteng will make fireball observations difficult.<br />
<br />
Stay safe everyone! <a href="https://t.co/SwzByqOlgp">https://t.co/SwzByqOlgp</a> <a href="https://t.co/GrMxi6MaNc">pic.twitter.com/GrMxi6MaNc</a></p>
— European Space Agency (@esa) <a href="https://twitter.com/esa/status/1831307613205615044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office reported the strike on its X account. It also informed that the impact was detected by multiple sensors.</p>

<p>The asteroid burned up in Earth’s atmosphere, creating a green fireball. Several people who caught the event recorded videos and posted them on social media.</p>

<h2>Videos of asteroid in the Philippines</h2>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">2024 RW1 seen from Ballesteros, Cagayan, Philippines.<br />
<br />
Copyright to the owner<br />
📸: Emmanuel Unite<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Asteroid?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Asteroid</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2024RW1?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2024RW1</a> <a href="https://t.co/8fsRItkZWS">pic.twitter.com/8fsRItkZWS</a></p>
— Tony (@Lewls_T) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lewls_T/status/1831375096306659369?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">Asteroid 2024 RW1 !<a href="https://t.co/cR3Y7Xm1D3">pic.twitter.com/cR3Y7Xm1D3</a></p>
— ⚯͛ (@wandershy_) <a href="https://twitter.com/wandershy_/status/1831379297480978926?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Here’s how Asteroid RW1 looks like from Gonzaga, Cagayan, Philippines. Best shot so far!! 😍 <a href="https://t.co/eYgQsHqxFP">pic.twitter.com/eYgQsHqxFP</a></p>
— Raymon Dullana (@raymongdullana) <a href="https://twitter.com/raymongdullana/status/1831378111453392958?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2024</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Spotting asteroids</h2>

<p>Space agencies around the world have lately been undertaking dedicated efforts to search for near-Earth objects. The Double Asteroids Redirect Test (DART) is the most famous mission whereby NASA conducted an impact on Dimorphos, a moonlet of the larger asteroid Didymos. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The experiment aimed to understand how potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs) could be deflected if they posed a threat to our planet. The impact sent several pieces of debris flying in space and now scientists say, some of them can reach Earth. Simulations carried out as part of a study state that the asteroid ejecta could reach Mars and the Earth-Moon system within a decade.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-apophis-can-collide-with-earth-but-only-if-this-happens-the-odds-of-755711">'God of chaos' asteroid can hit Earth, but only if THIS happens. 'The odds of...'</a></p>

<h2>Apophis in 2029</h2>

<p>The world is also preparing to meet Apophis, the "god of chaos" asteroid in 2029. It will come dangerously close to Earth but will not cause any harm. As per current observations, the asteroid will safely pass by Earth, posing no threat in 2029, 2036 and 2068.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, according to a new study, the asteroid still holds a chance of striking us provided another space rock collides with it, changing its trajectory.</p>

<p>Canadian astronomer Paul Wiegert found that an object around 0.6 metres (2 feet) in size can change the asteroid's path. This would set it up for a later collision with our planet. However, an impact in 2029 becomes likely if Apophis collides with an object of around 3.4 metres (11.2 feet).</p>

<p>NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is creating the asteroid-hunting spacecraft called NEO Surveyor (Near-Earth Object Surveyor), which will hunt for asteroids and comets travelling towards Earth. China is also developing its own mission to deflect an asteroid by 2030.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


A small asteroid collided with Earth on Wednesday and burnt up over the Philippines. The European Space Agency (ESA) said that the asteroid was 3-foot (1-metre) long and struck the atmosphere around 12:46 p.

A small asteroid collided with Earth on Wednesday and burnt up over the Philippines. The European Space Agency (ESA) said that the asteroid was 3-foot (1-metre) long and struck the atmosphere around 12:46 p.m. ET on September 4 above the western Pacific Ocean near Luzon Island. Named 2024 RW1, the steroid was discovered by research technologist Jacqueline Fazekas with the NASA-funded Catalina Sky Survey, just hours before it collided. It is a NASA-funded observatory near Tucson, Arizona and tracks and catalogues near-Earth objects. ESA informed in an X post that the asteroid was only the ninth to have been spotted prior to impact. 📣UPDATE: We expect the ~1 m asteroid discovered this morning to strike Earth's atmosphere over the Philippines near Luzon Island at 16:46 UTC today. However the nearby tropical storm Yagi/Enteng will make fireball observations difficult. Stay safe everyone! https://t.co/SwzByqOlgp pic.twitter.com/GrMxi6MaNc — European Space Agency (@esa) September 4, 2024 × NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office reported the strike on its X account. It also informed that the impact was detected by multiple sensors. The asteroid burned up in Earth’s atmosphere, creating a green fireball. Several people who caught the event recorded videos and posted them on social media. Videos of asteroid in the Philippines 2024 RW1 seen from Ballesteros, Cagayan, Philippines. Copyright to the owner 📸: Emmanuel Unite#Asteroid#2024RW1 pic.twitter.com/8fsRItkZWS — Tony (@Lewls_T) September 4, 2024 × Asteroid 2024 RW1 !pic.twitter.com/cR3Y7Xm1D3 — ⚯͛ (@wandershy_) September 4, 2024 × Here’s how Asteroid RW1 looks like from Gonzaga, Cagayan, Philippines. Best shot so far!! 😍 pic.twitter.com/eYgQsHqxFP — Raymon Dullana (@raymongdullana) September 4, 2024 × Spotting asteroids Space agencies around the world have lately been undertaking dedicated efforts to search for near-Earth objects. The Double Asteroids Redirect Test (DART) is the most famous mission whereby NASA conducted an impact on Dimorphos, a moonlet of the larger asteroid Didymos. The experiment aimed to understand how potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs) could be deflected if they posed a threat to our planet. The impact sent several pieces of debris flying in space and now scientists say, some of them can reach Earth. Simulations carried out as part of a study state that the asteroid ejecta could reach Mars and the Earth-Moon system within a decade. Also Read: 'God of chaos' asteroid can hit Earth, but only if THIS happens. 'The odds of...' Apophis in 2029 The world is also preparing to meet Apophis, the "god of chaos" asteroid in 2029. It will come dangerously close to Earth but will not cause any harm. As per current observations, the asteroid will safely pass by Earth, posing no threat in 2029, 2036 and 2068. However, according to a new study, the asteroid still holds a chance of striking us provided another space rock collides with it, changing its trajectory. Canadian astronomer Paul Wiegert found that an object around 0.6 metres (2 feet) in size can change the asteroid's path. This would set it up for a later collision with our planet. However, an impact in 2029 becomes likely if Apophis collides with an object of around 3.4 metres (11.2 feet). NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is creating the asteroid-hunting spacecraft called NEO Surveyor (Near-Earth Object Surveyor), which will hunt for asteroids and comets travelling towards Earth. China is also developing its own mission to deflect an asteroid by 2030.

Watch: Asteroid hits Earth hours after being detected, fireball seen over Philippines

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

Asteroid 2020 XR: 1,200ft space rock skims past Earth after 47 years

Watch: Asteroid hits Earth hours after being detected, fireball seen over Philippines