Scientists have finally seen what the "city-killer" asteroid 2024 YR4 looks like. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) took a peek at the asteroid scheduled to fly by Earth and Moon at an extremely close distance in 2032. It made the observations on March 26, watching the asteroid rotate once every 20 minutes over five hours. The asteroid was once predicted to smash into Earth, however, later, experts said that this might not be the case. Did JWST uncover any other secrets about the asteroid?
The space observatory looked at the building-size asteroid for the first time and a second round of viewing is scheduled for May this year. Ground telescopes had earlier zoomed in on the asteroid, but their observations were not fully correct. JWST found that it is rockier and larger than earlier estimates suggested. It also re-checked the possibility of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth in 2032.
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Luckily, it confirmed what scientists say, that it is not a hazard to Earth and will safely pass by the planet. However, the Moon might not be able to escape the asteroid's wrath and is in the firing line. Scientists say there is a high likelihood of a direct collision between the two in 2032.&nbsp;
Researchers said in the preliminary report, "While an Earth impact by 2024 YR4 on December 22, 2032, has now been ruled out, it continues to have a non-zero probability of impacting the Moon at this time."
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JWST will look at the asteroid again in May 2025 to gain more information. This would be the last time astronomers would get a look at it before it vanishes from view for three years. It is moving away from Earth and will return only in 2028, leaving scientists with another four years before it makes a grand visit. While things might change during this time, experts aren't worried about any threat to Earth.&nbsp;
<h2>"City-killer" asteroid 2024 YR4</h2>
The asteroid was first noticed in December 2024. It sent a wave of fear among scientists who calculated its trajectory to collide with Earth's in 2032. Such a collision would hold a force equivalent to 500 Hiroshima bombs. At one point, it had a 3.1 per cent chance of crashing into Earth in 2032, the highest probability ever recorded for an object of this size.
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Later, the danger was downgraded, and the threat to Earth was nil. The European Space Agency (ESA) announced that JWST's emergency discretionary time was needed to learn in detail about the asteroid, leaving a tiny doubt in people's minds. &nbsp;JWST's infrared sensors can directly detect heat emitted by the asteroid as opposed to ground telescopes that can only observe sunlight reflected off of the asteroid's surface.
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"In general, the brighter the asteroid, the larger it is, but this relationship strongly depends on how reflective the asteroid's surface is," ESA officials wrote in a blog post.
<h2>Will asteroid hit Moon in 2032?</h2>
Scientists are watching the asteroid not only for the sake of Earth but also the Moon which appears on track for a collision with the asteroid. Report co-author Andrew Rivkin, an astronomer at Johns Hopkins University, told New Scientist that there is roughly a 2% chance that the asteroid will slam into the moon in 2032.

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) looked at the asteroid that was predicted to hit Earth in 2032. What did the space observatory find? Science & Tech trending

Scientists have finally seen what the "city-killer" asteroid 2024 YR4 looks like. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) took a peek at the asteroid scheduled to fly by Earth and Moon at an extremely close distance in 2032. It made the observations on March 26, watching the asteroid rotate once every 20 minutes over five hours. The asteroid was once predicted to smash into Earth, however, later, experts said that this might not be the case. Did JWST uncover any other secrets about the asteroid? The space observatory looked at the building-size asteroid for the first time and a second round of viewing is scheduled for May this year. Ground telescopes had earlier zoomed in on the asteroid, but their observations were not fully correct. JWST found that it is rockier and larger than earlier estimates suggested. It also re-checked the possibility of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth in 2032. Also Read: 'Once in 1,000 years...': NASA says asteroid 2024 YR4 can hit the Moon. Is Earth safe? Luckily, it confirmed what scientists say, that it is not a hazard to Earth and will safely pass by the planet. However, the Moon might not be able to escape the asteroid's wrath and is in the firing line. Scientists say there is a high likelihood of a direct collision between the two in 2032. Researchers said in the preliminary report, "While an Earth impact by 2024 YR4 on December 22, 2032, has now been ruled out, it continues to have a non-zero probability of impacting the Moon at this time." Also Read: Asteroid to hit Earth in 2032? Scientists warn of space rock that can cause 'severe damage' JWST will look at the asteroid again in May 2025 to gain more information. This would be the last time astronomers would get a look at it before it vanishes from view for three years. It is moving away from Earth and will return only in 2028, leaving scientists with another four years before it makes a grand visit. While things might change during this time, experts aren't worried about any threat to Earth. "City-killer" asteroid 2024 YR4 The asteroid was first noticed in December 2024. It sent a wave of fear among scientists who calculated its trajectory to collide with Earth's in 2032. Such a collision would hold a force equivalent to 500 Hiroshima bombs. At one point, it had a 3.1 per cent chance of crashing into Earth in 2032, the highest probability ever recorded for an object of this size. Also Read: Earth's temporary ‘mini moon’ may have been a piece of actual moon Later, the danger was downgraded, and the threat to Earth was nil. The European Space Agency (ESA) announced that JWST's emergency discretionary time was needed to learn in detail about the asteroid, leaving a tiny doubt in people's minds. JWST's infrared sensors can directly detect heat emitted by the asteroid as opposed to ground telescopes that can only observe sunlight reflected off of the asteroid's surface. Also Read: ESA's Gaia telescope discovers over 100 black holes hidden in ancient star cluster "In general, the brighter the asteroid, the larger it is, but this relationship strongly depends on how reflective the asteroid's surface is," ESA officials wrote in a blog post. Will asteroid hit Moon in 2032? Scientists are watching the asteroid not only for the sake of Earth but also the Moon which appears on track for a collision with the asteroid. Report co-author Andrew Rivkin, an astronomer at Johns Hopkins University, told New Scientist that there is roughly a 2% chance that the asteroid will slam into the moon in 2032.

NASA's James Webb makes new revelation about 'city-killer' asteroid visiting in 2032

Residents of a small Gujarat village were shocked to see a sudden flash of light in the night sky on March 17, 2025. The incident took place in the Rankandhi area near Paiya Varnora village in Bhuj. People reported seeing a bright light that set the entire sky aglow for a few seconds.&nbsp;
The strange celestial event could not be pinpointed to a confirmed source. While some people speculated that it might be an alien sightings, others believed it was merely a meteorite. The visuals of the light in the Gujarat village were captured by CCTV cameras.
This is not the first such incident in Gujarat as reports suggest many more similar lights have been seen in the sky over the past few weeks in many villages of the western Indian state. Social media visuals show a bright light in the sky which then starts to move.
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<h2>Asteroid or meteorite in Gujarat?</h2>
The light was seen at around 3:12 am near Paiya Varnora village in Bhuj and slowly came downwards. No scientific reason has been given yet behind the sighting but it was most likely a meteorite.
However, the villagers were left scared by it and panicked at the sight of the strange flash of light.&nbsp;
<h2>Meteorite in Karachi, Pakistan</h2>
Meanwhile, a similar scene was witnessed by the people of Karachi on the same night. A bright streak of light was seen blazing across the sky, with some suggesting multiple flashes were seen early Monday morning. People shared videos of the incident on social media showing the flash.&nbsp;
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What was seen in Pakistan was reportedly a meteorite that entered the Earth's atmosphere. It occurred right after the Fajr prayers. Some reports suggested that it created a loud impact. Weather analyst Jawad Memon told DAWN newspaper, "On the night of March 17 at 2:43 am, a similar meteor was seen over the sky of Karachi and like thousands of others that have been spotted across the globe, it burned off over the skies of Karachi creating a streak of blue tone light during the burning process."
The meteors were believed to be a part of the Gamma Normids, a meteor shower that occurs at this time of the year. It typically starts from March 7 and lasts until March 23. Meteors from the shower can enter Earth sometimes, creating a dazzling celestial spectacle. The meteor shower is named after Gamma Normae, a star in the southern hemisphere's Norma constellation. The shower reported heightened activity on March 14 and 15.

The light was seen at around 3:12 am near Paiya Varnora village in Bhuj. No scientific reason has been given yet behind the sighting but it was most likely a meteorite. India News Trending

Residents of a small Gujarat village were shocked to see a sudden flash of light in the night sky on March 17, 2025. The incident took place in the Rankandhi area near Paiya Varnora village in Bhuj. People reported seeing a bright light that set the entire sky aglow for a few seconds. The strange celestial event could not be pinpointed to a confirmed source. While some people speculated that it might be an alien sightings, others believed it was merely a meteorite. The visuals of the light in the Gujarat village were captured by CCTV cameras. This is not the first such incident in Gujarat as reports suggest many more similar lights have been seen in the sky over the past few weeks in many villages of the western Indian state. Social media visuals show a bright light in the sky which then starts to move. Also Read: Fireball meteor lights up night sky in Karachi, Pakistan; creates loud impact Asteroid or meteorite in Gujarat? The light was seen at around 3:12 am near Paiya Varnora village in Bhuj and slowly came downwards. No scientific reason has been given yet behind the sighting but it was most likely a meteorite. However, the villagers were left scared by it and panicked at the sight of the strange flash of light. Meteorite in Karachi, Pakistan Meanwhile, a similar scene was witnessed by the people of Karachi on the same night. A bright streak of light was seen blazing across the sky, with some suggesting multiple flashes were seen early Monday morning. People shared videos of the incident on social media showing the flash. Also Read: 'A point where time begins': Black holes are portals into another point in universe? What was seen in Pakistan was reportedly a meteorite that entered the Earth's atmosphere. It occurred right after the Fajr prayers. Some reports suggested that it created a loud impact. Weather analyst Jawad Memon told DAWN newspaper, "On the night of March 17 at 2:43 am, a similar meteor was seen over the sky of Karachi and like thousands of others that have been spotted across the globe, it burned off over the skies of Karachi creating a streak of blue tone light during the burning process." The meteors were believed to be a part of the Gamma Normids, a meteor shower that occurs at this time of the year. It typically starts from March 7 and lasts until March 23. Meteors from the shower can enter Earth sometimes, creating a dazzling celestial spectacle. The meteor shower is named after Gamma Normae, a star in the southern hemisphere's Norma constellation. The shower reported heightened activity on March 14 and 15.

Strange light seen above small Gujarat village in Bhuj creates panic. Details

The latest scientific findings by NASA suggest that the chances of an asteroid collision have increased for the third time, raising concerns. How worried should we be? What happens if the asteroid is indeed on a collision course, and is there any hope for us? These are the pressing questions on many minds as experts work to assess the risks and potential responses.

NASA increases collision chances, experts assure: no need for panic

City-Killer asteroid: Earth faces a growing threat

Astronomers worldwide are tracking a massive space rock hurtling through our solar system. The odds of Earth being hit by the asteroid, called YR4, have increased. While still far from certain, scientists are paying very close attention to the possibility of this city-killer asteroid making contact with Earth in 2032. Watch in for more details!

Will asteroid 2024 YR4 change course? Scientists watch closely

An asteroid could potentially collide with Earth eight years from now, as its orbit around the sun briefly intersects the path of our planet. Watch this report for more details!

Scientists issue stark warning about asteroid moving toward earth

An asteroid has a one in 83 chance of hitting Earth in just over seven years. While most space rocks pass by harmlessly, this one, known as 2024 YR4, which is about half the size of a football field, is too close for comfort. Here's more.

NASA scientist warns, we can't stop a big asteroid

Earth braces for potential asteroid impact in 2032

Exciting new discoveries from asteroid Bennu reveal building blocks of life, shedding light on the origins of organic matter in space.

Fascinating, building blocks of life found in samples from Asteroid Bennu

Scientists are worried about an asteroid impact that might happen in the year 2032. This one is not a regular space rock and poses an extremely high risk to Earth. The revelation was made by the European Space Agency (ESA) which said that it is closely monitoring Asteroid 2024 YR4 which is about the size of a football pitch. The space agency stated that it has a one in 83 chance of a direct hit and has the potential to cause "severe damage to a local region".
This latest development has alarmed everyone and the matter will come up for discussion at a meeting of the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group, chaired by the ESA, in Vienna in the first week of February. Scientists are already thinking of ways to prevent a catastrophic impact.
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What has everyone even more alarmed is the fact that such an impact only happens once every few thousand years.
The asteroid measures 100 metres by 40 metres and is currently around 27 million miles away from the planet. Right now, it is moving farther away from us. However, the asteroid is due to return later and that is when it will come dangerously close to Earth.
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Experts say that it will cross the Earth's orbit on December 22, 2032, but will most likely miss us by a few thousand miles. However, they are not taking any chances as this is an extremely rare occurrence.
The Space Mission group's Vienna meeting will assess the asteroid and the extent of threat it might pose. If an impact is confirmed, then the observations will be made known to the United Nations.
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The ESA said that if the asteroid is found to pose a danger to the planet, a "spacecraft-based response to the potential hazard" will be initiated.
<h2>Watching the dangerous asteroid</h2>
Asteroid 2024 YR4 is a near-Earth object and was first spotted by a telescope in Chile. Since the beginning of January, astronomers have been keeping a close watch on it to learn more about how big it is and its movement.
The biggest challenge right now is to monitor the asteroid. As per current observations, it is moving away from Earth and within the next few months, will become invisible. This would make it hard to watch it and gather more data. Astronomers plan on using extremely powerful telescopes to gather as much data as possible about the rock.&nbsp;
Nearly three years later, in 2028, the asteroid will again return to view.
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Scientists will then have only about four years before the scary encounter in the year 2032.
<h2>DART Mission</h2>
Experts have been preparing for such a scenario for some years now. NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission on Sep 26, 2022, smashed a spacecraft into an asteroid named Dimorphos as an experiment to understand how prepared we were if an asteroid were to pose a threat to Earth. This impact changed the course and shape of the asteroid. Scientists would now be hoping to emulate the incident in the next few years to avoid a potential disaster seven years from now.

Asteroid and Science & Tech Trending News | Near-Earth Asteroid 2024 YR4 has sent alarm bells ringing as scientists say it can hit Earth in the next seven years. 

Scientists are worried about an asteroid impact that might happen in the year 2032. This one is not a regular space rock and poses an extremely high risk to Earth. The revelation was made by the European Space Agency (ESA) which said that it is closely monitoring Asteroid 2024 YR4 which is about the size of a football pitch. The space agency stated that it has a one in 83 chance of a direct hit and has the potential to cause "severe damage to a local region". This latest development has alarmed everyone and the matter will come up for discussion at a meeting of the Space Mission Planning Advisory Group, chaired by the ESA, in Vienna in the first week of February. Scientists are already thinking of ways to prevent a catastrophic impact. Also Read: Earth's temporary ‘mini moon’ may have been a piece of actual moon What has everyone even more alarmed is the fact that such an impact only happens once every few thousand years. The asteroid measures 100 metres by 40 metres and is currently around 27 million miles away from the planet. Right now, it is moving farther away from us. However, the asteroid is due to return later and that is when it will come dangerously close to Earth. Also Read: Asteroid that hit US had a surprising effect on Earth, study finds Experts say that it will cross the Earth's orbit on December 22, 2032, but will most likely miss us by a few thousand miles. However, they are not taking any chances as this is an extremely rare occurrence. The Space Mission group's Vienna meeting will assess the asteroid and the extent of threat it might pose. If an impact is confirmed, then the observations will be made known to the United Nations. Also Read: Scientists discover life on samples of asteroid Ryugu The ESA said that if the asteroid is found to pose a danger to the planet, a "spacecraft-based response to the potential hazard" will be initiated. Watching the dangerous asteroid Asteroid 2024 YR4 is a near-Earth object and was first spotted by a telescope in Chile. Since the beginning of January, astronomers have been keeping a close watch on it to learn more about how big it is and its movement. The biggest challenge right now is to monitor the asteroid. As per current observations, it is moving away from Earth and within the next few months, will become invisible. This would make it hard to watch it and gather more data. Astronomers plan on using extremely powerful telescopes to gather as much data as possible about the rock. Nearly three years later, in 2028, the asteroid will again return to view. Also Read: Centaur, an icy body in space, is shooting multiple jets of hot gas Scientists will then have only about four years before the scary encounter in the year 2032. DART Mission Experts have been preparing for such a scenario for some years now. NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission on Sep 26, 2022, smashed a spacecraft into an asteroid named Dimorphos as an experiment to understand how prepared we were if an asteroid were to pose a threat to Earth. This impact changed the course and shape of the asteroid. Scientists would now be hoping to emulate the incident in the next few years to avoid a potential disaster seven years from now.

Asteroid to hit Earth in 2032? Scientists warn of space rock that can cause 'severe damage'

A small piece of space rock that lingered near Earth last year, which was dubbed its temporary &ldquo;mini-moon&rdquo; may have been a chunk of our actual moon that chipped off thousands of years ago.
The small near-Earth asteroid 2024 PT5, which is only about 33 feet across, orbits around the Sun nearly in step with our planet. Its unusual path, which remains close to Earth without actually circling it, suggests that it may have formed in our neighbourhood.
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<h2>Familiar origin</h2>
Researchers studying 2024 PT5 have observed new data, which hints that the rock originated from the Moon. They suspect that it was knocked off the lunar surface after a massive impact several thousands of years ago. It was then ejected and hurled into a path around the Sun, near Earth.
The asteroid can help offer rare information about the processes that designed the Moon.
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&ldquo;We had a general idea that this asteroid may have come from the Moon, but the smoking gun was when we found out that it was rich in silicate minerals, not the kind seen on asteroids but found in lunar rock samples,&rdquo; said Teddy Kareta, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory in Arizona, who led the study.
On observing how the asteroid reflects sunlight, it was found that its materials closely resemble that of the Moon, unlike typical asteroids.
On further evaluation of its orbit, the experts at NASA&rsquo;s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) measured solar radiation pressure, which is the slight push from sunlight.
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&ldquo;That 2024 PT5 doesn&rsquo;t move this way indicates it is much denser than space debris,&rdquo; said Oscar Fuentes-Mu&ntilde;oz, a NASA postdoctoral fellow at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In comparison, human-made debris is usually relatively light and more affected by the pressure of sunlight
<h2>A rare asteroid</h2>
The new findings revealed by NASA scientists revealed that 2024 PT5 is natural and has a composition unique to typical asteroids, ruling out the possibility that it is human-made.
The only other near-Earth asteroid confirmed to have originated from the Moon is 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, which was first identified in 2016.
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If scientists are able to link lunar craters to these objects, it may help reveal more about how impacts shape the Moon&rsquo;s surface.&nbsp;
Further exploration may also illuminate the processes that shaped the Moon and influenced Earth&rsquo;s early environment.
(With inputs from agencies)

Science & Tech | Researchers studying 2024 PT5 have observed new data, which hints that the rock originated from the Moon. They suspect that it was knocked off the lunar surface after a massive impact several thousands of years ago.

A small piece of space rock that lingered near Earth last year, which was dubbed its temporary “mini-moon” may have been a chunk of our actual moon that chipped off thousands of years ago. The small near-Earth asteroid 2024 PT5, which is only about 33 feet across, orbits around the Sun nearly in step with our planet. Its unusual path, which remains close to Earth without actually circling it, suggests that it may have formed in our neighbourhood. Also read | Countdown underway for ISRO's 100th rocket launch Familiar origin Researchers studying 2024 PT5 have observed new data, which hints that the rock originated from the Moon. They suspect that it was knocked off the lunar surface after a massive impact several thousands of years ago. It was then ejected and hurled into a path around the Sun, near Earth. The asteroid can help offer rare information about the processes that designed the Moon. Also read | Watch: ISRO shares video of historic satellite docking in SpaDeX mission “We had a general idea that this asteroid may have come from the Moon, but the smoking gun was when we found out that it was rich in silicate minerals, not the kind seen on asteroids but found in lunar rock samples,” said Teddy Kareta, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory in Arizona, who led the study. On observing how the asteroid reflects sunlight, it was found that its materials closely resemble that of the Moon, unlike typical asteroids. On further evaluation of its orbit, the experts at NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) measured solar radiation pressure, which is the slight push from sunlight. Also read | ESA's Gaia telescope discovers over 100 black holes hidden in ancient star cluster “That 2024 PT5 doesn’t move this way indicates it is much denser than space debris,” said Oscar Fuentes-Muñoz, a NASA postdoctoral fellow at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In comparison, human-made debris is usually relatively light and more affected by the pressure of sunlight A rare asteroid The new findings revealed by NASA scientists revealed that 2024 PT5 is natural and has a composition unique to typical asteroids, ruling out the possibility that it is human-made. The only other near-Earth asteroid confirmed to have originated from the Moon is 469219 Kamoʻoalewa, which was first identified in 2016. Also read | SpaceX's Starship explodes mid-flight, upper stage lost, says company If scientists are able to link lunar craters to these objects, it may help reveal more about how impacts shape the Moon’s surface. Further exploration may also illuminate the processes that shaped the Moon and influenced Earth’s early environment. (With inputs from agencies)

Earth's temporary ‘mini moon’ may have been a piece of actual moon

Daksh Malik, a 14-year-old boy from Noida, India, has made a remarkable discovery by identifying an asteroid. His finding has caught the attention of space enthusiasts worldwide, and now, with NASA&rsquo;s official approval, he will be granted the opportunity to name the asteroid once the verification process is complete.
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<h2>A passion for space</h2>
Daksh&rsquo;s love for space began at a young age. He spent countless hours gazing at the night sky, fascinated by the stars, planets, and other celestial objects. His curiosity only deepened as he grew older, leading him to actively pursue knowledge in astronomy and look for ways to contribute to the field.
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<h2>How the discovery happened</h2>
Daksh&rsquo;s breakthrough moment came when his school&rsquo;s astronomy club invited students to join the International Asteroid Discovery Project (IAPD). Through the project, participants can analyse telescope data from around the world to identify new asteroids. Daksh participated enthusiastically, and his efforts led to the discovery of an asteroid, temporarily named "2023 OG40" after the time and date it was observed. Once NASA finishes its confirmation process, Daksh will have the prestigious honour of naming it.
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<h2>Why do asteroids matter?</h2>
Asteroids are ancient remnants of the early solar system, offering clues about the formation of planets and other celestial bodies. Most asteroids are located in the asteroid belt, though some can be found in other orbits. The largest known asteroid in the belt is Vesta, which measures 329 miles in diameter. Daksh&rsquo;s discovery adds to the growing knowledge of these fascinating objects in space.
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Trending | India News: Daksh’s love for space began at a young age. He spent countless hours gazing at the night sky, fascinated by the stars, planets, and other celestial objects. His curiosity only deepened as he grew older.

Daksh Malik, a 14-year-old boy from Noida, India, has made a remarkable discovery by identifying an asteroid. His finding has caught the attention of space enthusiasts worldwide, and now, with NASA’s official approval, he will be granted the opportunity to name the asteroid once the verification process is complete. Also Read | Video: Dramatic clip captures lightning striking British Airways plane in Brazil's São Paulo A passion for space Daksh’s love for space began at a young age. He spent countless hours gazing at the night sky, fascinated by the stars, planets, and other celestial objects. His curiosity only deepened as he grew older, leading him to actively pursue knowledge in astronomy and look for ways to contribute to the field. Also Read | 'Truly iconic!' Coldplay's Chris Martin sings Vande Mataram at Ahmedabad show | Watch How the discovery happened Daksh’s breakthrough moment came when his school’s astronomy club invited students to join the International Asteroid Discovery Project (IAPD). Through the project, participants can analyse telescope data from around the world to identify new asteroids. Daksh participated enthusiastically, and his efforts led to the discovery of an asteroid, temporarily named "2023 OG40" after the time and date it was observed. Once NASA finishes its confirmation process, Daksh will have the prestigious honour of naming it. Also Read | 'AI's Sputnik moment': China's 'cheap' AI model DeepSeek overtakes billion-dollar ChatGPT Why do asteroids matter? Asteroids are ancient remnants of the early solar system, offering clues about the formation of planets and other celestial bodies. Most asteroids are located in the asteroid belt, though some can be found in other orbits. The largest known asteroid in the belt is Vesta, which measures 329 miles in diameter. Daksh’s discovery adds to the growing knowledge of these fascinating objects in space. Also Read | Coldplay's Chris Martin and actress Dakota Johnson arrive at Maha Kumbh | Watch

14-year-old Noida boy makes asteroid discovery, NASA asks him to name it

Washington DC, United States
NASA has warned of two massive asteroids will make their closest approach on Monday (December 16, 2024). These celestial bodies are named 2024 XY5 and 2024 XB6. They are racing towards Earth at incredible speeds. Although NASA has confirmed that neither poses a danger to our planet. These near-Earth objects (NEOs) highlight the importance of vigilant monitoring by space agencies.
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<h2 dir="ltr">Asteroid 2024 XY5</h2>
Asteroid 2024 XY5 measures 71 feet across, about the size of a large aircraft, and is travelling at a speed of 10,805 miles per hour. It will make its closest approach to Earth at 12:26 AM IST on Monday, passing within 2,180,000 miles—about 16 times the average distance between Earth and the Moon. "Although this is a close encounter in cosmic terms, there’s absolutely no cause for concern," say NASA scientists. 
<h2 dir="ltr">Asteroid 2024 XB6</h2>
Shortly after, another asteroid, 2024 XB6, will approach Earth at 7:25 AM IST on the same day. This one is slightly smaller, measuring 56 feet in diameter, akin to the size of a house. It will travel even faster, clocking a speed of 23,787 km/h, and will pass Earth at a safe distance of 6,690,000 kilometres—approximately 17.4 times the Moon’s distance.
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-tracks-three-huge-asteroids-racing-towards-earth-will-they-become-an-immediate-threat-767071">NASA tracks three huge asteroids racing towards Earth. Will they become an immediate threat?</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">Are these asteroids dangerous?</h2>
Despite their size and speed, neither asteroid is considered a "potentially hazardous asteroid." NASA defines hazardous objects as those larger than 150 metres that approach within 4.6 million kilometres of Earth. “These asteroids serve as reminders of the need to stay alert for potential space hazards,” says a NASA scientist.
Watch: Space Agency NASA Issues Asteroid Warning
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<h2 dir="ltr">Why it matters</h2>
Observing asteroids like 2024 XY5 and XB6 isn’t just about safety. It’s a window into the past, helping scientists understand the very fabric of our solar system while safeguarding Earth against future threats.
(With inputs from agencies)

NASA warns that two massive asteroids, 2024 XY5 and 2024 XB6, will make their closest approach to Earth on Monday, December 16, 2024, travelling at incredible speeds.



Washington DC, United States NASA has warned of two massive asteroids will make their closest approach on Monday (December 16, 2024). These celestial bodies are named 2024 XY5 and 2024 XB6. They are racing towards Earth at incredible speeds. Although NASA has confirmed that neither poses a danger to our planet. These near-Earth objects (NEOs) highlight the importance of vigilant monitoring by space agencies. Asteroid 2024 XY5 Asteroid 2024 XY5 measures 71 feet across, about the size of a large aircraft, and is travelling at a speed of 10,805 miles per hour. It will make its closest approach to Earth at 12:26 AM IST on Monday, passing within 2,180,000 miles—about 16 times the average distance between Earth and the Moon. "Although this is a close encounter in cosmic terms, there’s absolutely no cause for concern," say NASA scientists. Asteroid 2024 XB6 Shortly after, another asteroid, 2024 XB6, will approach Earth at 7:25 AM IST on the same day. This one is slightly smaller, measuring 56 feet in diameter, akin to the size of a house. It will travel even faster, clocking a speed of 23,787 km/h, and will pass Earth at a safe distance of 6,690,000 kilometres—approximately 17.4 times the Moon’s distance. Also Read: NASA tracks three huge asteroids racing towards Earth. Will they become an immediate threat? Are these asteroids dangerous? Despite their size and speed, neither asteroid is considered a "potentially hazardous asteroid." NASA defines hazardous objects as those larger than 150 metres that approach within 4.6 million kilometres of Earth. “These asteroids serve as reminders of the need to stay alert for potential space hazards,” says a NASA scientist. Watch: Space Agency NASA Issues Asteroid Warning Why it matters Observing asteroids like 2024 XY5 and XB6 isn’t just about safety. It’s a window into the past, helping scientists understand the very fabric of our solar system while safeguarding Earth against future threats. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA warns, asteroids 2024 XY5 and 2024 XB6 race toward Earth — but are they really a threat?

NASA has warned&nbsp;of two massive asteroids will make their closest approach on Monday (December 16, 2024). These celestial bodies are named 2024 XY5 and 2024 XB6. They are racing towards Earth at incredible speeds. Although NASA has confirmed that neither poses a danger to our planet. These near-Earth objects (NEOs) highlight the importance of vigilant monitoring by space agencies.

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<h2 dir="ltr">Asteroid 2024 XY5</h2>

Asteroid 2024 XY5 measures 71 feet across, about the size of a large aircraft, and is travelling at a speed of 10,805 miles per hour. It will make its closest approach to Earth at 12:26 AM IST on Monday, passing within 2,180,000 miles—about 16 times the average distance between Earth and the Moon. "Although this is a close encounter in cosmic terms, there’s absolutely no cause for concern," say NASA scientists.&nbsp;

<h2 dir="ltr">Asteroid 2024 XB6</h2>

Shortly after, another asteroid, 2024 XB6, will approach Earth at 7:25 AM IST on the same day. This one is slightly smaller, measuring 56 feet in diameter, akin to the size of a house. It will travel even faster, clocking a speed of 23,787 km/h, and will pass Earth at a safe distance of 6,690,000 kilometres—approximately 17.4 times the Moon’s distance.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-tracks-three-huge-asteroids-racing-towards-earth-will-they-become-an-immediate-threat-767071">NASA tracks three huge asteroids racing towards Earth. Will they become an immediate threat?</a>

<h2 dir="ltr">Are these asteroids dangerous?</h2>

Despite their size and speed, neither asteroid is considered a "potentially hazardous asteroid." NASA defines hazardous objects as those larger than 150 metres that approach within 4.6 million kilometres of Earth. “These asteroids serve as reminders of the need to stay alert for potential space hazards,” says a NASA scientist.

Watch:&nbsp;Space Agency NASA Issues Asteroid Warning

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/space-agency-nasa-issues-asteroid-warning-768677/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2 dir="ltr">Why it matters</h2>

Observing asteroids like 2024 XY5 and XB6 isn’t just about safety. It’s a window into the past, helping scientists understand the very fabric of our solar system while safeguarding Earth against future threats.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

NASA has warned of two massive asteroids will make their closest approach on Monday (December 16, 2024). These celestial bodies are named 2024 XY5 and 2024 XB6. They are racing towards Earth at incredible speeds.

NASA has warned of two massive asteroids will make their closest approach on Monday (December 16, 2024). These celestial bodies are named 2024 XY5 and 2024 XB6. They are racing towards Earth at incredible speeds. Although NASA has confirmed that neither poses a danger to our planet. These near-Earth objects (NEOs) highlight the importance of vigilant monitoring by space agencies. Asteroid 2024 XY5 Asteroid 2024 XY5 measures 71 feet across, about the size of a large aircraft, and is travelling at a speed of 10,805 miles per hour. It will make its closest approach to Earth at 12:26 AM IST on Monday, passing within 2,180,000 miles—about 16 times the average distance between Earth and the Moon. "Although this is a close encounter in cosmic terms, there’s absolutely no cause for concern," say NASA scientists. Asteroid 2024 XB6 Shortly after, another asteroid, 2024 XB6, will approach Earth at 7:25 AM IST on the same day. This one is slightly smaller, measuring 56 feet in diameter, akin to the size of a house. It will travel even faster, clocking a speed of 23,787 km/h, and will pass Earth at a safe distance of 6,690,000 kilometres—approximately 17.4 times the Moon’s distance. Also Read: NASA tracks three huge asteroids racing towards Earth. Will they become an immediate threat? Are these asteroids dangerous? Despite their size and speed, neither asteroid is considered a "potentially hazardous asteroid." NASA defines hazardous objects as those larger than 150 metres that approach within 4.6 million kilometres of Earth. “These asteroids serve as reminders of the need to stay alert for potential space hazards,” says a NASA scientist. Watch: Space Agency NASA Issues Asteroid Warning Why it matters Observing asteroids like 2024 XY5 and XB6 isn’t just about safety. It’s a window into the past, helping scientists understand the very fabric of our solar system while safeguarding Earth against future threats. (With inputs from agencies)

Two asteroids that struck Earth within 25,000 years of each other did not have a long-term impact on the planet, researchers have found. The first asteroid hit a place that is in Russia today and created a crater 60 miles wide. The other impact happened in the Chesapeake Bay on the US's East Coast about 36 million years ago.

The study was published in Communications Earth &amp; Environment.

The craters made by the asteroid strikes are one of the biggest to have formed on Earth, yet they did not cause any major climate change over the following 150,000 years.

Bridget Wade, the study's co-author, "These large asteroid impacts occurred and, over the long term, our planet seemed to carry on as usual."

"We were expecting some kind of climate perturbation, most likely cooling to result from the impacts, so we were surprised to find no climatic response," Wade told Newsweek.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/scientists-discover-abnormally-large-skull-of-lost-human-species-in-asia-781439">Scientists discover abnormally large skull of 'lost' human species in Asia</a>

The researchers found fossils of ancient creatures in the seafloor and examined the isotopes in them. These isotopes helped them learn about the climate of the time.

"The fossils are about the size of a grain of sand (0.5 mm) and we can separate them into different species under the microscope," Wade said.

<h2>Climate remained stable over the years&nbsp;</h2>

They were surprised to see that despite such massive asteroid strikes, Earth's climate managed to remain stable. But the team clarified that they only had access to study long-term climate changes. The immediated consequences of the impacts might have been devastating, especially if considered over a human lifetime.&nbsp;

"Our study would not have picked up shorter-term changes over tens or hundreds of years, as the samples were every 11,000 years," Wade said. "Over a human timescale, these asteroid impacts would be a disaster."

The study found that the asteroids were quite small, just about five &nbsp;miles wide. Yet, they managed to gouge such huge craters, which indicates how forceful the impacts were. In the short term, tsunamis would have wreaked havoc, with widespread fires taking over Earth. The asteroid strike likely created massive clouds of dust that blocked sunlight for a brief time.&nbsp;

Two asteroids that struck Earth within 25,000 years of each other did not have a long-term impact on the planet, researchers have found. The first asteroid hit a place that is in Russia today and created a crater 60 miles wide.

Two asteroids that struck Earth within 25,000 years of each other did not have a long-term impact on the planet, researchers have found. The first asteroid hit a place that is in Russia today and created a crater 60 miles wide. The other impact happened in the Chesapeake Bay on the US's East Coast about 36 million years ago. The study was published in Communications Earth & Environment. The craters made by the asteroid strikes are one of the biggest to have formed on Earth, yet they did not cause any major climate change over the following 150,000 years. Bridget Wade, the study's co-author, "These large asteroid impacts occurred and, over the long term, our planet seemed to carry on as usual." "We were expecting some kind of climate perturbation, most likely cooling to result from the impacts, so we were surprised to find no climatic response," Wade told Newsweek. Also Read: Scientists discover abnormally large skull of 'lost' human species in Asia The researchers found fossils of ancient creatures in the seafloor and examined the isotopes in them. These isotopes helped them learn about the climate of the time. "The fossils are about the size of a grain of sand (0.5 mm) and we can separate them into different species under the microscope," Wade said. Climate remained stable over the years They were surprised to see that despite such massive asteroid strikes, Earth's climate managed to remain stable. But the team clarified that they only had access to study long-term climate changes. The immediated consequences of the impacts might have been devastating, especially if considered over a human lifetime. "Our study would not have picked up shorter-term changes over tens or hundreds of years, as the samples were every 11,000 years," Wade said. "Over a human timescale, these asteroid impacts would be a disaster." The study found that the asteroids were quite small, just about five miles wide. Yet, they managed to gouge such huge craters, which indicates how forceful the impacts were. In the short term, tsunamis would have wreaked havoc, with widespread fires taking over Earth. The asteroid strike likely created massive clouds of dust that blocked sunlight for a brief time.

Asteroid that hit US had a surprising effect on Earth, study finds

The examination of a sample brought from asteroid Ryugu in outer space turned exciting for scientists when they found it had life forms on it. However, soon the excitement died down when they found that the microbes on the sample had actually originated on Earth.

The sample was brought to Earth in 2020 after being gathered in 2019 during Japan’s Hayabusa2 mission.

Scientists treated the Ryugu samples with great care and kept them under strict contamination controls, limiting their chance of contamination.

However, researchers at Imperial College London still ended up finding signs of terrestrial life in the samples.

"We found&nbsp;micro-organisms&nbsp;in a sample returned from an asteroid. They appeared on the rock and spread with time before finally dying off," said team leader Matthew Genge of Imperial College London while speaking to Space.com. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/was-mini-moon-asteroid-once-part-of-our-moon-nasa-will-try-to-find-out-when-it-returns-779866">Was 'mini-moon' asteroid once part of our Moon? NASA will try to find out when it returns</a>

"The change in the number of micro-organisms confirmed these were living microbes. However, it also suggested they only recently colonised the specimen just before our analyses and were terrestrial in origin," he added.

"Without studying their&nbsp;DNA, it is impossible to identify their exact type. "However, they were most likely bacteria such as Bacillus since these are very common filamentous micro-organisms, particularly in soil and rocks," explained the researcher.

"It was very surprising to find terrestrial microbes within the rock. We usually polish meteorite specimens, and microbes rarely appear on them. However, it only needs one microbial spore to cause colonisation," said Genge.

<h2>What does contamination of asteroid sample mean?</h2>

In a study titled&nbsp;'Rapid colonisation of a space-returned Ryugu sample by terrestrial microorganisms', the researchers said that no sign of contamination was shown in the material, however, filaments of organic matter which looked like terrestrial microbes were found on the surface of the sample in a week after it was exposed to the atmosphere of Earth.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/16th-asteroid-to-be-discovered-by-man-can-make-everyone-on-earth-a-billionaire-778337">16th asteroid to be discovered by man can make everyone on Earth a billionaire</a>

"It shows that microorganisms can readily metabolise and survive upon extraterrestrial materials. On Earth, there is abundant home-grown organic material available, but on planets such as Mars, extra-martian organic materials may support an ecosystem," said Genge said.&nbsp;

"Our findings suggest that space missions could be contaminating space environments. It also shows that terrestrial microorganisms are adept at rapid colonisation," he added.

"The fact that terrestrial microbes are the Earth's best colonisers means we can never completely discount terrestrial contamination. Most of the time, contamination is not a problem as long as you know its source. The problem comes when scientists attempt to claim that the 'pristine' nature of a specimen is evidence that features are extraterrestrial," the researcher further stated.

(With inputs from agencies)

The examination of a sample brought from asteroid Ryugu in outer space turned exciting for scientists when they found it had life forms on it. However, soon the excitement died down when they found that the microbes on the sample had actually originated on Earth.

The examination of a sample brought from asteroid Ryugu in outer space turned exciting for scientists when they found it had life forms on it. However, soon the excitement died down when they found that the microbes on the sample had actually originated on Earth. The sample was brought to Earth in 2020 after being gathered in 2019 during Japan’s Hayabusa2 mission. Scientists treated the Ryugu samples with great care and kept them under strict contamination controls, limiting their chance of contamination. However, researchers at Imperial College London still ended up finding signs of terrestrial life in the samples. "We found micro-organisms in a sample returned from an asteroid. They appeared on the rock and spread with time before finally dying off," said team leader Matthew Genge of Imperial College London while speaking to Space.com. Also Read: Was 'mini-moon' asteroid once part of our Moon? NASA will try to find out when it returns "The change in the number of micro-organisms confirmed these were living microbes. However, it also suggested they only recently colonised the specimen just before our analyses and were terrestrial in origin," he added. "Without studying their DNA, it is impossible to identify their exact type. "However, they were most likely bacteria such as Bacillus since these are very common filamentous micro-organisms, particularly in soil and rocks," explained the researcher. "It was very surprising to find terrestrial microbes within the rock. We usually polish meteorite specimens, and microbes rarely appear on them. However, it only needs one microbial spore to cause colonisation," said Genge. What does contamination of asteroid sample mean? In a study titled 'Rapid colonisation of a space-returned Ryugu sample by terrestrial microorganisms', the researchers said that no sign of contamination was shown in the material, however, filaments of organic matter which looked like terrestrial microbes were found on the surface of the sample in a week after it was exposed to the atmosphere of Earth. Also Read: 16th asteroid to be discovered by man can make everyone on Earth a billionaire "It shows that microorganisms can readily metabolise and survive upon extraterrestrial materials. On Earth, there is abundant home-grown organic material available, but on planets such as Mars, extra-martian organic materials may support an ecosystem," said Genge said. "Our findings suggest that space missions could be contaminating space environments. It also shows that terrestrial microorganisms are adept at rapid colonisation," he added. "The fact that terrestrial microbes are the Earth's best colonisers means we can never completely discount terrestrial contamination. Most of the time, contamination is not a problem as long as you know its source. The problem comes when scientists attempt to claim that the 'pristine' nature of a specimen is evidence that features are extraterrestrial," the researcher further stated. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists discover life on samples of asteroid Ryugu. Here's what it means

Astronomers have discovered a rare "second moon" in Earth's orbit, sparking excitement within the scientific community. The object, a small asteroid, has been temporarily captured by Earth's gravity and is providing new opportunities for study.

Rare 'Second Moon' Spotted In Earth's Orbit Captivates Astronomers

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:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/the-2000-kilometre-wide-crater-basin-on-the-moon-is-way-older-770036">The 2,000-kilometre wide crater basin on the moon is way older</a>

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. 
&nbsp;

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

A stadium sized asteroid is heading towards Earth at a very high speed according to a warning issued by the US Space Agency NASA about 710 ft wide Asteroid will approach the blue planet today. Watch in for more details!

Space Agency NASA Issues Asteroid Warning

NASA issued a warning as it tracked a bus-sized&nbsp;asteroid, called 2024 TW2, which is set to make a close approach to&nbsp;Earth&nbsp;on October 7.&nbsp;

The space rock, which is almost 21 feet, is moving at a frightening speed of 60,968 km/h.&nbsp;

The asteroid's proximity to the Earth has been an issue of concern, however, NASA has assured that it will not pose any immediate danger to the planet.

According to NASA, asteroid 2024 TW2 will fly by Earth on October 7 at a distance of 288,000 kilometres, which is a little less than the average distance between the Moon and the Earth.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-issues-sudden-alert-as-two-massive-asteroids-race-towards-earth-on-collision-path-764109">NASA issues sudden alert as two massive asteroids race towards Earth, on collision path</a>

Even though it is flying at a close distance, the asteroid does not fall into the criteria of "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" (PHA).

<h2>Here's why this asteroid is not a threat to Earth</h2>

Asteroids like 2024 TW2 are part of the group of near-Earth objects (NEOs) which is monitored by NASA regularly.&nbsp;

Even though the speed and proximity of an asteroid are huge, its small size has little to no chance of causing any significant damage even if it enters the atmosphere of the Earth.&nbsp;

Such asteroids generally burn up upon entering the atmosphere of the Earth.

<h2>How is NASA tracking asteroids?</h2>

NASA, along with other space agencies, has established a network of telescopes and advanced computing for identifying near-Earth objects (NEOs).

Watch:&nbsp;Scientists Propose Nuclear Solution To Save Earth From Asteroid Armageddon

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientists-propose-nuclear-solution-to-save-earth-from-asteroid-armageddon-761817/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Even though many of the NEOs don't come very near to Earth, some of them do come at a scary distance and get tagged as potentially hazardous asteroids that need more attention.&nbsp;

Such asteroids are more than 460 feet (140 metres) in size, and their orbits bring them within a distance of 7.5 million kilometres from Earth. 
 
NASA's Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has been monitoring all the NEOs and looking for any potential impact risks.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA issued a warning as it tracked a bus-sized asteroid, called 2024 TW2, which is set to make a close approach to Earth on October 7. The space rock, which is almost 21 feet, is moving at a frightening speed of 60,968 km/h.

NASA issued a warning as it tracked a bus-sized asteroid, called 2024 TW2, which is set to make a close approach to Earth on October 7. The space rock, which is almost 21 feet, is moving at a frightening speed of 60,968 km/h. The asteroid's proximity to the Earth has been an issue of concern, however, NASA has assured that it will not pose any immediate danger to the planet. According to NASA, asteroid 2024 TW2 will fly by Earth on October 7 at a distance of 288,000 kilometres, which is a little less than the average distance between the Moon and the Earth. Also Read: NASA issues sudden alert as two massive asteroids race towards Earth, on collision path Even though it is flying at a close distance, the asteroid does not fall into the criteria of "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" (PHA). Here's why this asteroid is not a threat to Earth Asteroids like 2024 TW2 are part of the group of near-Earth objects (NEOs) which is monitored by NASA regularly. Even though the speed and proximity of an asteroid are huge, its small size has little to no chance of causing any significant damage even if it enters the atmosphere of the Earth. Such asteroids generally burn up upon entering the atmosphere of the Earth. How is NASA tracking asteroids? NASA, along with other space agencies, has established a network of telescopes and advanced computing for identifying near-Earth objects (NEOs). Watch: Scientists Propose Nuclear Solution To Save Earth From Asteroid Armageddon Even though many of the NEOs don't come very near to Earth, some of them do come at a scary distance and get tagged as potentially hazardous asteroids that need more attention. Such asteroids are more than 460 feet (140 metres) in size, and their orbits bring them within a distance of 7.5 million kilometres from Earth. NASA's Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has been monitoring all the NEOs and looking for any potential impact risks. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA warns against huge asteroid dangerously flying towards Earth at 60,968 km/h

Space is a mysterious and dangerous place. While we know that black holes can swallow up whole planets, some things are far scarier than them.

Apart from black holes, various objects in the universe can pose a threat to not only our planet but the whole solar system.

<h2>Here are some of the most dangerous objects and phenomena in space:</h2>

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs)

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are from powerful explosions observed in distant galaxies. It is believed they can vaporise anything within 200 light-years with its beams. While GRBs hitting Earth is only a hypothesis, it could be dangerous to the atmosphere and damage the ozone layer, making life vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-saga-continues-mission-to-probe-crime-scene-on-dimorphos-ready-for-blast-off-764738">Asteroid saga continues: Mission to probe 'crime scene' on Dimorphos ready for blast off</a>

Megacomet

A “Megacomet” is a massive comet that can be as large as 100 miles across. The biggest-ever comet C/2014 UN271 was last seen in our solar system in 2021. It is so big that it was named a minor planet initially. Luckily, it will be a billion miles away from Earth when it comes closest to Earth in 2031. However, there is a possibility of more megacomets in the universe that could come our way.

Supernovae

Supernova explosions occur when a star reaches the end of its life cycle. They are so powerful and bright that they can outshine an entire galaxy due to the energy they release. Any object within their “kill zone” could be wiped out by its intense radiation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/centaur-an-icy-body-in-space-is-shooting-multiple-jets-of-hot-gas-whats-going-on-764764">Centaur, an icy body in space, is shooting multiple jets of hot gas. What's going on?</a>

Asteroids

There are many large objects in our solar system. There is a possibility of an asteroid striking the Earth, similar to the one that wiped out dinosaurs from Earth about 66 million years ago. According to new data from astronomers, there are over 150,000 objects that are unidentified in the solar system, and most of them are asteroids.

Cosmic collision

A collision with another galaxy can lead to deadly impact, creating new black holes and altering the galaxies due to the clashing gravitational forces. It is predicted that Andromeda galaxy, which is 2.5 million light-years away will collide with our galaxy, Milky Way, in 3 to 5 billion years.

(With inputs from agencies)

Space is a mysterious and dangerous place. While we know that black holes can swallow up whole planets, some things are far scarier than them. Apart from black holes, various objects in the universe can pose a threat to not only our planet but the whole solar system.

Space is a mysterious and dangerous place. While we know that black holes can swallow up whole planets, some things are far scarier than them. Apart from black holes, various objects in the universe can pose a threat to not only our planet but the whole solar system. Here are some of the most dangerous objects and phenomena in space: Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are from powerful explosions observed in distant galaxies. It is believed they can vaporise anything within 200 light-years with its beams. While GRBs hitting Earth is only a hypothesis, it could be dangerous to the atmosphere and damage the ozone layer, making life vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Also read | Asteroid saga continues: Mission to probe 'crime scene' on Dimorphos ready for blast off Megacomet A “Megacomet” is a massive comet that can be as large as 100 miles across. The biggest-ever comet C/2014 UN271 was last seen in our solar system in 2021. It is so big that it was named a minor planet initially. Luckily, it will be a billion miles away from Earth when it comes closest to Earth in 2031. However, there is a possibility of more megacomets in the universe that could come our way. Supernovae Supernova explosions occur when a star reaches the end of its life cycle. They are so powerful and bright that they can outshine an entire galaxy due to the energy they release. Any object within their “kill zone” could be wiped out by its intense radiation. Also read | Centaur, an icy body in space, is shooting multiple jets of hot gas. What's going on? Asteroids There are many large objects in our solar system. There is a possibility of an asteroid striking the Earth, similar to the one that wiped out dinosaurs from Earth about 66 million years ago. According to new data from astronomers, there are over 150,000 objects that are unidentified in the solar system, and most of them are asteroids. Cosmic collision A collision with another galaxy can lead to deadly impact, creating new black holes and altering the galaxies due to the clashing gravitational forces. It is predicted that Andromeda galaxy, which is 2.5 million light-years away will collide with our galaxy, Milky Way, in 3 to 5 billion years. (With inputs from agencies)

If you think black holes are the most dangerous objects in space, you’re wrong

An icy body in the outer solar system is spewing hot gas and has baffled scientists for years. Centaur 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 was discovered in 1927 and undergoes highly active and quasi-periodical outbursts every six to eight weeks.

Now the James Webb Telescope has revealed fascinating details about the icy body. Using its near-infrared spectrograph instrument, a team of scientists mapped the gases it throws out. They found what it was spewing were two jets of carbon dioxide and a new jet of carbon monoxide pointed towards the Sun.

The findings were presented in a recent study published in Nature.

The discovery of the gases gives scientists an insight into how the centaur originated. Not only this but it is also expected to help them understand more about the formation of the solar system.&nbsp;

Experts think that the centaur might not be one whole piece but a combination of multiple pieces.

“The fact that Centaur 29P has such dramatic differences in the abundance of [carbon monoxide] and [carbon dioxide] across its surface suggests that 29P may be made of several pieces,” Geronimo Villanueva, co-author of the study at NASA Goddard, said in a statement.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-saga-continues-mission-to-probe-crime-scene-on-dimorphos-ready-for-blast-off-764738">Mission to probe 'crime scene' on Dimorphos ready for blast off</a>

“Maybe two pieces coalesced together and made this centaur, which is a mixture between very different bodies that underwent separate formation pathways. It challenges our ideas about how primordial objects are created and stored in the Kuiper Belt.”

Centaurs fall somewhere between comets and asteroids. They possess the characteristics of both space bodies. They are icy and at one time used to orbit the Sun from beyond Neptune. However, giant planets have been casting gravitational influence on them, leading centaurs to slowly change their orbits.&nbsp;

They are now found between Jupiter and Neptune, although they are still similar to Trans-Neptunian objects, those cosmic bodies that lie beyond Neptune, and short-period comets.

"Centaurs can be considered as some of the leftovers of our planetary system’s formation," Sara Faggi, a researcher at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and lead author of the study, said in a statement.&nbsp;

Using Webb's data, the team created a model of the jets and found that&nbsp;the gases were being released from different regions on the centaur’s nucleus.&nbsp;

An icy body in the outer solar system is spewing hot gas and has baffled scientists for years. Centaur 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 was discovered in 1927 and undergoes highly active and quasi-periodical outbursts every six to eight weeks.

An icy body in the outer solar system is spewing hot gas and has baffled scientists for years. Centaur 29P/Schwassmann-Wachmann 1 was discovered in 1927 and undergoes highly active and quasi-periodical outbursts every six to eight weeks. Now the James Webb Telescope has revealed fascinating details about the icy body. Using its near-infrared spectrograph instrument, a team of scientists mapped the gases it throws out. They found what it was spewing were two jets of carbon dioxide and a new jet of carbon monoxide pointed towards the Sun. The findings were presented in a recent study published in Nature. The discovery of the gases gives scientists an insight into how the centaur originated. Not only this but it is also expected to help them understand more about the formation of the solar system. Experts think that the centaur might not be one whole piece but a combination of multiple pieces. “The fact that Centaur 29P has such dramatic differences in the abundance of [carbon monoxide] and [carbon dioxide] across its surface suggests that 29P may be made of several pieces,” Geronimo Villanueva, co-author of the study at NASA Goddard, said in a statement. Also Read: Mission to probe 'crime scene' on Dimorphos ready for blast off “Maybe two pieces coalesced together and made this centaur, which is a mixture between very different bodies that underwent separate formation pathways. It challenges our ideas about how primordial objects are created and stored in the Kuiper Belt.” Centaurs fall somewhere between comets and asteroids. They possess the characteristics of both space bodies. They are icy and at one time used to orbit the Sun from beyond Neptune. However, giant planets have been casting gravitational influence on them, leading centaurs to slowly change their orbits. They are now found between Jupiter and Neptune, although they are still similar to Trans-Neptunian objects, those cosmic bodies that lie beyond Neptune, and short-period comets. "Centaurs can be considered as some of the leftovers of our planetary system’s formation," Sara Faggi, a researcher at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and lead author of the study, said in a statement. Using Webb's data, the team created a model of the jets and found that the gases were being released from different regions on the centaur’s nucleus.

Centaur, an icy body in space, is shooting multiple jets of hot gas. What's going on?

The massive asteroid that is believed to have ended the era of dinosaurs when it crashed into Earth some 66 million years ago was not the only culprit, researchers found recently.

After performing detailed scans of an underwater crater off the coast of Guinea in West Africa, researchers discovered that it was created when another large asteroid smashed into Earth around the same time at the end of the Cretaceous period.

The violent collision between 65 million and 67 million years ago produced a crater more than five miles across, the scans reveal. Scientists estimate that the asteroid measured a quarter of a mile wide struck Earth at nearly 45,000 miles per hour.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-has-hosted-mini-moons-before-and-one-of-them-will-revisit-in-27-years-764394">Earth has hosted mini-moons in the past, and one of them will revisit in 27 years</a>

Though the other space rock was much smaller than the asteroid that caused the mass extinction of dinosaurs, it was large enough to leave scars on the face of the planet.&nbsp;

“The new images paint a picture of the catastrophic event,” said Dr Uisdean Nicholson, a marine geologist at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, who first discovered the Nadir crater in 2022. At the time, the details of the impact were unclear.

<h2>Impact of another massive collision</h2>

Scientists devised 3D seismic imaging to map the crater rim on the Earth to further understand about the impact of the second collision. The team also analysed the scars that lie 30 metres beneath the ocean floor.&nbsp;

“There are around 20 confirmed marine craters worldwide, and none of them has been captured in anything close to this level of detail,” said Nicholson. “It’s exquisite.”

Researchers found that the collision set off intense tremors that liquefied beneath the ocean floor causing faults to form below the seabed. This impact triggered landslides with visible traces thousands of square miles beyond the crater rim and also created a tsunami more than 800 metres high that would have travelled across the Atlantic.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/earth-has-a-hidden-massive-sixth-ocean-in-a-crystal-structure-under-its-crust-heres-why-764140">Earth has a hidden massive sixth ocean in a crystal structure under its crust. Here's why</a>

The details of the research are published in Nature Communications Earth &amp; Environment.

The team of researchers though cannot pinpoint the exact location where the asteroid struck the Earth, the discovery of the crater and its approximate age has itself prompted speculation that it may have belonged to a cluster of dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period.

“The closest humans have come to seeing something like this is the 1908 Tunguska event, when a 50-metre asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere and exploded in the skies above Siberia,” Nicholson said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The massive asteroid that is believed to have ended the era of dinosaurs when it crashed into Earth some 66 million years ago was not the only culprit, researchers found recently.

The massive asteroid that is believed to have ended the era of dinosaurs when it crashed into Earth some 66 million years ago was not the only culprit, researchers found recently. After performing detailed scans of an underwater crater off the coast of Guinea in West Africa, researchers discovered that it was created when another large asteroid smashed into Earth around the same time at the end of the Cretaceous period. The violent collision between 65 million and 67 million years ago produced a crater more than five miles across, the scans reveal. Scientists estimate that the asteroid measured a quarter of a mile wide struck Earth at nearly 45,000 miles per hour. Also Read | Earth has hosted mini-moons in the past, and one of them will revisit in 27 years Though the other space rock was much smaller than the asteroid that caused the mass extinction of dinosaurs, it was large enough to leave scars on the face of the planet. “The new images paint a picture of the catastrophic event,” said Dr Uisdean Nicholson, a marine geologist at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, who first discovered the Nadir crater in 2022. At the time, the details of the impact were unclear. Impact of another massive collision Scientists devised 3D seismic imaging to map the crater rim on the Earth to further understand about the impact of the second collision. The team also analysed the scars that lie 30 metres beneath the ocean floor. “There are around 20 confirmed marine craters worldwide, and none of them has been captured in anything close to this level of detail,” said Nicholson. “It’s exquisite.” Researchers found that the collision set off intense tremors that liquefied beneath the ocean floor causing faults to form below the seabed. This impact triggered landslides with visible traces thousands of square miles beyond the crater rim and also created a tsunami more than 800 metres high that would have travelled across the Atlantic. Also Read | Earth has a hidden massive sixth ocean in a crystal structure under its crust. Here's why The details of the research are published in Nature Communications Earth & Environment. The team of researchers though cannot pinpoint the exact location where the asteroid struck the Earth, the discovery of the crater and its approximate age has itself prompted speculation that it may have belonged to a cluster of dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period. “The closest humans have come to seeing something like this is the 1908 Tunguska event, when a 50-metre asteroid entered Earth’s atmosphere and exploded in the skies above Siberia,” Nicholson said. (With inputs from agencies)

Massive asteroid that eradicated dinosaurs when it crashed into Earth was not alone: Researchers

NASA has been on high alert as two massive asteroids - 2024 SD3&nbsp;and&nbsp;2024 SR4 - are set to pass by Earth on October 3. The asteroids are being tracked by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

<h2>Here's what we know about these asteroids</h2>

<h3>Asteroid&nbsp;2024 SD3</h3>

Asteroid&nbsp;2024 SD3 is 68 feet&nbsp;in width and is around the size of a small aeroplane. It will make a close flyby Earth at a distance of nearly 1,490,000 kilometres.&nbsp;

The asteroid is racing at a speed of 65,629 km/h, which is a good opportunity for NASA’s asteroid tracking teams to study space rock.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ceres-largest-object-in-asteroid-belt-shows-signs-of-life-near-ertunet-crater-762152">Ceres, largest object in asteroid belt, shows signs of habitability near Ertunet Crater</a>

It falls under the category of "potentially hazardous" because of its velocity and size but will maintain a safe distance from Earth.&nbsp;

<h3>Asteroid 2024 SR4</h3>

Asteroid 2024 SR4 is a little smaller in size and measures 51 feet. It will make its closest approach to Earth on the same day and will fly at a distance of 1,670,000 kilometres. Hence, there is no threat of proximity.

The asteroid is travelling at a speed of 41,835 km/h and is being monitored by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

<h2>How is NASA tracking asteroids?</h2>

NASA, along with other space agencies, has established a network of telescopes and advanced computing for identifying near-Earth objects (NEOs).&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Europe Launches Hera Mission Set To Unveil The Secrets Of Dimorphos Asteroid

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/europe-launches-hera-mission-set-to-unveil-the-secrets-of-dimorphos-asteroid-763447/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Even though many of the NEOs don't come very near to Earth, some of them do come at a scary distance and get tagged as potentially hazardous asteroids which need more attention.&nbsp;

Such asteroids are more than 460 feet (140 metres) in size and their orbits bring them within a distance of 7.5 million kilometres from Earth.&nbsp;

NASA's Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has been monitoring all the NEOs and looking for any potential impact risks.

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA has been on high alert as two massive asteroids - 2024 SD3 and 2024 SR4 - are set to pass by Earth on October 3. The asteroids are being tracked by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

NASA has been on high alert as two massive asteroids - 2024 SD3 and 2024 SR4 - are set to pass by Earth on October 3. The asteroids are being tracked by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Here's what we know about these asteroids Asteroid 2024 SD3 Asteroid 2024 SD3 is 68 feet in width and is around the size of a small aeroplane. It will make a close flyby Earth at a distance of nearly 1,490,000 kilometres. The asteroid is racing at a speed of 65,629 km/h, which is a good opportunity for NASA’s asteroid tracking teams to study space rock. Also Read: Ceres, largest object in asteroid belt, shows signs of habitability near Ertunet Crater It falls under the category of "potentially hazardous" because of its velocity and size but will maintain a safe distance from Earth. Asteroid 2024 SR4 Asteroid 2024 SR4 is a little smaller in size and measures 51 feet. It will make its closest approach to Earth on the same day and will fly at a distance of 1,670,000 kilometres. Hence, there is no threat of proximity. The asteroid is travelling at a speed of 41,835 km/h and is being monitored by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. How is NASA tracking asteroids? NASA, along with other space agencies, has established a network of telescopes and advanced computing for identifying near-Earth objects (NEOs). Watch: Europe Launches Hera Mission Set To Unveil The Secrets Of Dimorphos Asteroid Even though many of the NEOs don't come very near to Earth, some of them do come at a scary distance and get tagged as potentially hazardous asteroids which need more attention. Such asteroids are more than 460 feet (140 metres) in size and their orbits bring them within a distance of 7.5 million kilometres from Earth. NASA's Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has been monitoring all the NEOs and looking for any potential impact risks. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA issues sudden alert as two massive asteroids race towards Earth, on collision path

Europe is circling back to Dimorphos—the asteroid that NASA had pushed off course. Europe's space agency is launching the HERA mission on October 7 to explore the asteroid up close.

Europe Returns to Asteroid Dimorphos

Europe Launches Hera Mission To Study Dimorphos After NASA Impact

Europe Launches Hera Mission Set To Unveil The Secrets Of Dimorphos Asteroid

In a spectacular cosmic event, Earth is about to get a "second moon" this fall. An asteroid passing through the Earth will be pulled by its gravitational force. This “second moon” will temporarily enter our planet’s orbit on September 29 and remain there for nearly two months.

<h2>What is the second moon?</h2>

First spotted by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on August 7, asteroid 2024 PT5 hails from the Arjuna asteroid belt, a group of asteroids in our solar system. These asteroids sometimes get as close as 2.8 million miles (4.5 million km) to Earth.

According to scientists involved in the study to determine its trajectory, an asteroid moving at a slower speed of about 2,200 mph (3,540 km/h) can be pulled by Earth’s gravitational field and trapped in an orbit temporarily, similar to 2024 PT5. The study was published in Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/ceres-largest-object-in-asteroid-belt-shows-signs-of-life-near-ertunet-crater-762152">Ceres, largest object in asteroid belt, shows signs of habitability near Ertunet Crater</a>

The asteroid will enter the orbit on September 29 and is expected to leave on November 25, astronomer Dr Jennifer Millard told BBC.&nbsp;

"It's not going to complete a full revolution of our planet, it's just going to kind of have its orbit altered, just twisted slightly by our own planet and then it'll continue on its merry way," she said.

<h2>How to watch the second moon?</h2>

The asteroid is only about 10 metre (32 foot) long and is made of dull rock, making it impossible to view with the naked eye. It will also be difficult to spot with binoculars or home telescope as it is comparatively much smaller than the moon, which has a diameter of about 3,474 km.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/two-rocks-fused-into-one-to-form-peanut-like-asteroid-that-flew-past-earth-762194">Two rocks fused into one to form peanut-like asteroid that flew past Earth</a>

"Professional telescopes, they'll be able to pick it up. So you'll be able to look out for lots of wonderful pictures online of this little dot kind of moving past the stars at great speed," said Dr Millard, who is also the host of the Awesome Astronomy podcast.

The best way to see the “mini-moon” would be to visit a space observatory that has public access.

Other asteroids that enter Earth’s orbit have been spotted before, while many others are likely to have gone unnoticed. The asteroid is likely to return to Earth’s orbit again in 2055.

(With inputs from agencies)

In a spectacular cosmic event, Earth is about to get a "second moon" this fall. An asteroid passing through the Earth will be pulled by its gravitational force. This “second moon” will temporarily enter our planet’s orbit on September 29 and remain there for nearly two months.

In a spectacular cosmic event, Earth is about to get a "second moon" this fall. An asteroid passing through the Earth will be pulled by its gravitational force. This “second moon” will temporarily enter our planet’s orbit on September 29 and remain there for nearly two months. What is the second moon? First spotted by NASA’s Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) on August 7, asteroid 2024 PT5 hails from the Arjuna asteroid belt, a group of asteroids in our solar system. These asteroids sometimes get as close as 2.8 million miles (4.5 million km) to Earth. According to scientists involved in the study to determine its trajectory, an asteroid moving at a slower speed of about 2,200 mph (3,540 km/h) can be pulled by Earth’s gravitational field and trapped in an orbit temporarily, similar to 2024 PT5. The study was published in Research Notes of the American Astronomical Society. Also read | Ceres, largest object in asteroid belt, shows signs of habitability near Ertunet Crater The asteroid will enter the orbit on September 29 and is expected to leave on November 25, astronomer Dr Jennifer Millard told BBC. "It's not going to complete a full revolution of our planet, it's just going to kind of have its orbit altered, just twisted slightly by our own planet and then it'll continue on its merry way," she said. How to watch the second moon? The asteroid is only about 10 metre (32 foot) long and is made of dull rock, making it impossible to view with the naked eye. It will also be difficult to spot with binoculars or home telescope as it is comparatively much smaller than the moon, which has a diameter of about 3,474 km. Also read | Two rocks fused into one to form peanut-like asteroid that flew past Earth "Professional telescopes, they'll be able to pick it up. So you'll be able to look out for lots of wonderful pictures online of this little dot kind of moving past the stars at great speed," said Dr Millard, who is also the host of the Awesome Astronomy podcast. The best way to see the “mini-moon” would be to visit a space observatory that has public access. Other asteroids that enter Earth’s orbit have been spotted before, while many others are likely to have gone unnoticed. The asteroid is likely to return to Earth’s orbit again in 2055. (With inputs from agencies)

Earth to get a ‘second moon’ on Sep 29. Here is how to watch it

A new study suggests that X-ray pulses could deflect asteroids up to 4 kilometers in width. Watch to know more.

Scientists Propose Nuclear Solution To Save Earth From Asteroid Armageddon

NASA has issued a warning as a 510-foot asteroid, named 2013 FW13, is hurtling towards Earth at a speed of 35,000 mph and is set to make a close passage by our planet.

The asteroid will be at a distance of 2 million miles from the planet on Wednesday (Sep&nbsp;18), as per NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

The astronomers in Hawaii first discovered this asteroid, which is 4.6 billion years old, in March 2013 and it will make its next&nbsp;close approach&nbsp;on March 27 when it will be 16 million miles away from Earth.

According to NASA, the asteroid which is larger than 492 feet and comes within 4.6 million miles of Earth has been termed a “potentially hazardous object".&nbsp;

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/asteroid-nearly-1500-feet-in-size-moving-towards-earth-at-26-times-the-speed-of-sound-758280">&nbsp;Asteroid nearly 1,500 feet in size moving towards Earth at 26 times the speed of sound</a>

Hence, NASA has been monitoring the asteroid's potential danger although the agency does not expect this space rock to pose any threat to Earth.&nbsp;

According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, asteroid 2013 FW13 will pass by Earth at 2:30 a.m. EDT on Wednesday (Sep 18).&nbsp;

<h2>How does NASA keep an eye on any potential hazards to Earth?</h2>

The way Asteroid 2013 FW13 is moving towards Earth also reflects the importance of keeping a tab on space to detect any potential hazards.&nbsp; 
NASA’s Planetary Defence Coordination Office (PDCO) has been tracking such cosmic objects and ensuring that Earth remains safe.&nbsp;

The high speed at which the asteroid is travelling shows the solar system's dynamic nature.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;SpaceX launches 'all civilian' Polaris mission: A new frontier in private space exploration

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spacex-launches-all-civilian-polaris-mission-a-new-frontier-in-private-space-exploration-757593/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Asteroids keep moving across space constantly and are influenced by the planets' gravitation pull.&nbsp;

The scientists can predict future trajectories by understanding their movements. It also helps in assessing potential risks.

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA has issued a warning as a 510-foot asteroid, named 2013 FW13, is hurtling towards Earth at a speed of 35,000 mph and is set to make a close passage by our planet.

NASA has issued a warning as a 510-foot asteroid, named 2013 FW13, is hurtling towards Earth at a speed of 35,000 mph and is set to make a close passage by our planet. The asteroid will be at a distance of 2 million miles from the planet on Wednesday (Sep 18), as per NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The astronomers in Hawaii first discovered this asteroid, which is 4.6 billion years old, in March 2013 and it will make its next close approach on March 27 when it will be 16 million miles away from Earth. According to NASA, the asteroid which is larger than 492 feet and comes within 4.6 million miles of Earth has been termed a “potentially hazardous object". Also Read: Asteroid nearly 1,500 feet in size moving towards Earth at 26 times the speed of sound Hence, NASA has been monitoring the asteroid's potential danger although the agency does not expect this space rock to pose any threat to Earth. According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, asteroid 2013 FW13 will pass by Earth at 2:30 a.m. EDT on Wednesday (Sep 18). How does NASA keep an eye on any potential hazards to Earth? The way Asteroid 2013 FW13 is moving towards Earth also reflects the importance of keeping a tab on space to detect any potential hazards. NASA’s Planetary Defence Coordination Office (PDCO) has been tracking such cosmic objects and ensuring that Earth remains safe. The high speed at which the asteroid is travelling shows the solar system's dynamic nature. Watch: SpaceX launches 'all civilian' Polaris mission: A new frontier in private space exploration Asteroids keep moving across space constantly and are influenced by the planets' gravitation pull. The scientists can predict future trajectories by understanding their movements. It also helps in assessing potential risks. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA alerts as 'potentially hazardous' 510-foot asteroid zooms towards Earth at 35,000 mph

Earth may have had a ring system that came into existence around 466 million years ago, a new study has suggested. This was the period when our planet was bombarded with unusually intense meteorites known as the Ordovician impact spike.&nbsp;

The theory has been published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters. It is based on the positions of 21 asteroid impact craters and plate tectonic reconstructions for the Ordovician period.

Researchers cite the place where the craters exist on Earth to suggest that the planet once likely had a ring, just like Saturn. All of the craters studied are located within 30 degrees of the equator. However, this is considered an anomaly since more than 70 per cent of Earth's continental crust is outside this region.

They believe the reason for this localised impact pattern was a large asteroid which once might have flown by extremely close to Earth. When this happened, it passed within Earth's Roche limit, breaking apart due to tidal forces. This, they say, might have formed a debris ring around the planet, similar to Saturn's rings and those of other gas giants.&nbsp;

When these meteorites fell on Earth, they likely created the craters now seen in the region.

"Over millions of years, material from this ring gradually fell to Earth, creating the spike in meteorite impacts observed in the geological record," lead study author Professor Andy Tomkins, from Monash University's School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, said.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/collision-of-asteroids-created-cosmic-dust-and-sparked-life-on-earth-study-758856">Collision of asteroids created cosmic dust and sparked life on Earth: Study</a>

"We also see that layers in sedimentary rocks from this period contain extraordinary amounts of meteorite debris."

This ring might have also impacted our planet's climate which would have cast a shadow, and blocked the sunlight, thus cooling down the environment. This significant global cooling event was known as the "Hirnantian Icehouse."

"The idea that a ring system could have influenced global temperatures adds a new layer of complexity to our understanding of how extra-terrestrial events may have shaped Earth's climate," Professor Tomkins said.

Having occurred near the end of the Ordovician, this period is one of the coldest witnessed in the last 500 million years of Earth's history.

The latest discovery also leads astronomers to think whether Earth could have these rings more than once in its lifetime.

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Earth may have had a ring system that came into existence around 466 million years ago, a new study has suggested. This was the period when our planet was bombarded with unusually intense meteorites known as the Ordovician impact spike.

Earth may have had a ring system that came into existence around 466 million years ago, a new study has suggested. This was the period when our planet was bombarded with unusually intense meteorites known as the Ordovician impact spike. The theory has been published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters. It is based on the positions of 21 asteroid impact craters and plate tectonic reconstructions for the Ordovician period. Researchers cite the place where the craters exist on Earth to suggest that the planet once likely had a ring, just like Saturn. All of the craters studied are located within 30 degrees of the equator. However, this is considered an anomaly since more than 70 per cent of Earth's continental crust is outside this region. They believe the reason for this localised impact pattern was a large asteroid which once might have flown by extremely close to Earth. When this happened, it passed within Earth's Roche limit, breaking apart due to tidal forces. This, they say, might have formed a debris ring around the planet, similar to Saturn's rings and those of other gas giants. When these meteorites fell on Earth, they likely created the craters now seen in the region. "Over millions of years, material from this ring gradually fell to Earth, creating the spike in meteorite impacts observed in the geological record," lead study author Professor Andy Tomkins, from Monash University's School of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment, said. Also Read: Collision of asteroids created cosmic dust and sparked life on Earth: Study "We also see that layers in sedimentary rocks from this period contain extraordinary amounts of meteorite debris." This ring might have also impacted our planet's climate which would have cast a shadow, and blocked the sunlight, thus cooling down the environment. This significant global cooling event was known as the "Hirnantian Icehouse." "The idea that a ring system could have influenced global temperatures adds a new layer of complexity to our understanding of how extra-terrestrial events may have shaped Earth's climate," Professor Tomkins said. Having occurred near the end of the Ordovician, this period is one of the coldest witnessed in the last 500 million years of Earth's history. The latest discovery also leads astronomers to think whether Earth could have these rings more than once in its lifetime.

Earth likely had a ring around it 466 million years ago. It was created by...

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