Four asteroids will make their closest approaches to Earth on Thursday (Oct 24) one after the other within a span of 12 hours. Two of these asteroids were discovered just this month, one of them only about a week back. Of the "potentially hazardous" space rocks, one is as tall as a skyscraper. Do they pose any threat to Earth?

The first asteroid to fly past the planet will be 2015 HM1, the smallest of the four space rocks. It measures around 100 feet across and will be at its nearest point to Earth at around 0:36 am ET, or 10:06 am IST. As per NASA's Asteroid Watch dashboard, it will be 5.5 million kilometres from us.

The second asteroid is 2024 TP17 which is roughly 170-foot wide. It will make its closest approach at around 4:20 am ET, or 1:50 pm IST and will be at a distance of 4.7 million km from our planet.

The final two asteroids — 2002 NV16 and 2024 TR6 — will make their closest approaches within just four minutes of each other.

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The other two asteroids will zoom past Earth within just four minutes of each other. Space rock 2002 NV16 and 2024 TR6 will take back-to-back trips past our planet.&nbsp;

The 2002 NV16 asteroid is the largest of the four and measures 580 feet across. It will reach a minimum distance of 4.5 million km at around 11:47 a.m. ET, or 9:17 pm IST. The fourth asteroid, the 150-foot-wide 2024 TR6, will follow soon after. It will come within 5.6 million km of Earth at 11:51 am ET, or 9:21 pm IST.&nbsp;

Asteroids 2024 TR6 and 2024 TP17 were discovered on Oct 7 and Oct 12, respectively.

<h2>Two of the asteroids will return</h2>

Astronomers discover almost 2,000 near-Earth objects every year, most of them just as they are about to come close to the planet. Asteroids classified as "potentially hazardous" are those whose orbits bring them within 48 million km of Earth.&nbsp;

NASA regularly checks for asteroids that might pose a threat to Earth. Most of these objects aren't big enough or don't come close enough to cause damage. However, 2002 NV16 is quite massive and if it were on a trajectory to impact Earth, it could wipe out a large city besides affecting the entire planet.

Notably, 2024 TR6 will return on Aug 5, 2039, and fly past Earth at a much closer distance of 1.9 million km. Asteroids 2024 TP17 will also make a comeback on Oct 25, 2040, and make a close approach at a minimum distance of 2.1 million km. 
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Four asteroids will make their closest approaches to Earth on Thursday (Oct 24) one after the other within a span of 12 hours. Two of these asteroids were discovered just this month, one of them only about a week back.

Four asteroids will make their closest approaches to Earth on Thursday (Oct 24) one after the other within a span of 12 hours. Two of these asteroids were discovered just this month, one of them only about a week back. Of the "potentially hazardous" space rocks, one is as tall as a skyscraper. Do they pose any threat to Earth? The first asteroid to fly past the planet will be 2015 HM1, the smallest of the four space rocks. It measures around 100 feet across and will be at its nearest point to Earth at around 0:36 am ET, or 10:06 am IST. As per NASA's Asteroid Watch dashboard, it will be 5.5 million kilometres from us. The second asteroid is 2024 TP17 which is roughly 170-foot wide. It will make its closest approach at around 4:20 am ET, or 1:50 pm IST and will be at a distance of 4.7 million km from our planet. The final two asteroids — 2002 NV16 and 2024 TR6 — will make their closest approaches within just four minutes of each other. Also Read: The 2,000-kilometre wide crater basin on the moon is way older The other two asteroids will zoom past Earth within just four minutes of each other. Space rock 2002 NV16 and 2024 TR6 will take back-to-back trips past our planet. The 2002 NV16 asteroid is the largest of the four and measures 580 feet across. It will reach a minimum distance of 4.5 million km at around 11:47 a.m. ET, or 9:17 pm IST. The fourth asteroid, the 150-foot-wide 2024 TR6, will follow soon after. It will come within 5.6 million km of Earth at 11:51 am ET, or 9:21 pm IST. Asteroids 2024 TR6 and 2024 TP17 were discovered on Oct 7 and Oct 12, respectively. Two of the asteroids will return Astronomers discover almost 2,000 near-Earth objects every year, most of them just as they are about to come close to the planet. Asteroids classified as "potentially hazardous" are those whose orbits bring them within 48 million km of Earth. NASA regularly checks for asteroids that might pose a threat to Earth. Most of these objects aren't big enough or don't come close enough to cause damage. However, 2002 NV16 is quite massive and if it were on a trajectory to impact Earth, it could wipe out a large city besides affecting the entire planet. Notably, 2024 TR6 will return on Aug 5, 2039, and fly past Earth at a much closer distance of 1.9 million km. Asteroids 2024 TP17 will also make a comeback on Oct 25, 2040, and make a close approach at a minimum distance of 2.1 million km.

Four asteroids to approach Earth in a span of 12 hours today. Two of them will return

NASA has issued an asteroid warning for August 14. Named 2024 PH2, it will zoom past Earth at a speed of 26,000 km/hr. Right now the asteroid is in the constellation of Capricorns, about 2,400,000 kilometres away from us. At its closest point, it will be 1.1 million miles from Earth. The space rock is 100 feet in size, about the size of an airplane.&nbsp;

<h2>Does the asteroid pose a threat to us?</h2>

As per NASA's guidelines for identifying a space rock as being hazardous, 2024 PH2 doesn't pose a threat. Asteroids that don't come closer than 4,650,000 million miles to Earth or are smaller than about 140 metres, that is around 460 feet, don't pose a threat. It is a Near-Earth Object (NEO) and its orbit will bring it extremely close to Earth. Based on NASA's guidelines, this asteroid becomes a potential threat. However, since it is smaller in size, it does not threaten our safety. However, a regional impact might lead to some type of destruction.

The asteroid belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. Scientists use these events as opportunities to study space rocks. Apollo group of asteroids are categorised as near-Earth objects (NEOs) with orbits that cross Earth's path. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory issues asteroid warning as part of its Asteroid Watch programme.

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Asteroid 2024 PH2 will not come this close to Earth for the next 10 years. It will be visible only through long-exposure photography because it is dimly lit.&nbsp;

<h2>NASA DART mission&nbsp;</h2>

NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office regularly monitors asteroids moving near our planet and those that might come too close. The space agency studies these space bodies to learn more about the universe. This also helps them understand if an asteroid is on a collision course with Earth. In such a scenario, NASA will work to avert any destruction. An experiment under the DART mission aimed to understand how humans can hit an asteroid if it poses a threat to us. An impact with asteroid Moonlet Dimorphos deflected it from its path while breaking it up into several pieces.&nbsp;

NASA has issued an asteroid warning for August 14. Named 2024 PH2, it will zoom past Earth at a speed of 26,000 km/hr. Right now the asteroid is in the constellation of Capricorns, about 2,400,000 kilometres away from us.

NASA has issued an asteroid warning for August 14. Named 2024 PH2, it will zoom past Earth at a speed of 26,000 km/hr. Right now the asteroid is in the constellation of Capricorns, about 2,400,000 kilometres away from us. At its closest point, it will be 1.1 million miles from Earth. The space rock is 100 feet in size, about the size of an airplane. Does the asteroid pose a threat to us? As per NASA's guidelines for identifying a space rock as being hazardous, 2024 PH2 doesn't pose a threat. Asteroids that don't come closer than 4,650,000 million miles to Earth or are smaller than about 140 metres, that is around 460 feet, don't pose a threat. It is a Near-Earth Object (NEO) and its orbit will bring it extremely close to Earth. Based on NASA's guidelines, this asteroid becomes a potential threat. However, since it is smaller in size, it does not threaten our safety. However, a regional impact might lead to some type of destruction. The asteroid belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. Scientists use these events as opportunities to study space rocks. Apollo group of asteroids are categorised as near-Earth objects (NEOs) with orbits that cross Earth's path. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory issues asteroid warning as part of its Asteroid Watch programme. Also Read: Twin universe? Indian student suggests we are living in multiverse Asteroid 2024 PH2 will not come this close to Earth for the next 10 years. It will be visible only through long-exposure photography because it is dimly lit. NASA DART mission NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office regularly monitors asteroids moving near our planet and those that might come too close. The space agency studies these space bodies to learn more about the universe. This also helps them understand if an asteroid is on a collision course with Earth. In such a scenario, NASA will work to avert any destruction. An experiment under the DART mission aimed to understand how humans can hit an asteroid if it poses a threat to us. An impact with asteroid Moonlet Dimorphos deflected it from its path while breaking it up into several pieces.

NASA warns 100-foot asteroid is racing towards Earth, will be closest on...

Asteroid 2024 OR1 is hurtling towards Earth and will make an extremely close flyby on August 6. The 110-foot asteroid is the size of an aeroplane and will zoom past our planet at 6:41 pm IST. It is moving at a speed of 30,381 km/h. This asteroid belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids, rocks that fascinate astronomers and are valuable in terms of observation and scientific study. They are categorised as near-Earth objects (NEOs) with orbits that cross Earth's path. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has issued the latest warning as part of its Asteroid Watch programme.

NASA has a set of guidelines based on which an asteroid is classified as hazardous. The space agency says that asteroids that won't get closer than 4,650,000 million miles to Earth or are smaller than about 140 metres, that is around 460 feet, don't pose a threat.

Asteroid 2024 OR1 will be 2,130,000 miles at its nearest point from Earth. Based on the distance, it does fulfil one criterion of a hazardous object, but it is not as big in size, so it will not pose a threat to our planet.&nbsp;

Two more asteroids will make a flyby on the same day. Asteroid 2024 OM1, 160 feet in size, is also approaching us on August 6 and will be 869,000 miles from us at its nearest point. It also belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. Asteroid 2024 PE, an Aten near-Earth object, will also zoom past us on this day. However, it is just 84 feet in size and will make its closest approach at 1,130,000 miles. Both these asteroids are expected to pass by us safely, without posing a threat.

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<h2>NASA Asteroid warnings&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) regularly tracks NEOs to understand the collision risks they might pose and to be able to take action in the event one threatens the planet. An asteroid's size, speed, and location of impact also decide if it has the potential to cause any kind of devastation. These events also provide NASA with the opportunity to learn more about these celestial visitors.&nbsp;

NASA has hit an asteroid in the past as part of the DART mission. It helped scientists learn more about a likely scenario where an asteroid might pose a risk to us.

Asteroid 2024 OR1 is hurtling towards Earth and will make an extremely close flyby on August 6. The 110-foot asteroid is the size of an aeroplane and will zoom past our planet at 6:41 pm IST.

Asteroid 2024 OR1 is hurtling towards Earth and will make an extremely close flyby on August 6. The 110-foot asteroid is the size of an aeroplane and will zoom past our planet at 6:41 pm IST. It is moving at a speed of 30,381 km/h. This asteroid belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids, rocks that fascinate astronomers and are valuable in terms of observation and scientific study. They are categorised as near-Earth objects (NEOs) with orbits that cross Earth's path. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has issued the latest warning as part of its Asteroid Watch programme. NASA has a set of guidelines based on which an asteroid is classified as hazardous. The space agency says that asteroids that won't get closer than 4,650,000 million miles to Earth or are smaller than about 140 metres, that is around 460 feet, don't pose a threat. Asteroid 2024 OR1 will be 2,130,000 miles at its nearest point from Earth. Based on the distance, it does fulfil one criterion of a hazardous object, but it is not as big in size, so it will not pose a threat to our planet. Two more asteroids will make a flyby on the same day. Asteroid 2024 OM1, 160 feet in size, is also approaching us on August 6 and will be 869,000 miles from us at its nearest point. It also belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids. Asteroid 2024 PE, an Aten near-Earth object, will also zoom past us on this day. However, it is just 84 feet in size and will make its closest approach at 1,130,000 miles. Both these asteroids are expected to pass by us safely, without posing a threat. Also Read: Saturn kicks out a comet outside our solar system at a scary speed of 6,700 mph. Here's how NASA Asteroid warnings NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) regularly tracks NEOs to understand the collision risks they might pose and to be able to take action in the event one threatens the planet. An asteroid's size, speed, and location of impact also decide if it has the potential to cause any kind of devastation. These events also provide NASA with the opportunity to learn more about these celestial visitors. NASA has hit an asteroid in the past as part of the DART mission. It helped scientists learn more about a likely scenario where an asteroid might pose a risk to us.

NASA warns three asteroids are hurtling towards Earth and will come extremely close on the same day