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A majority of asteroids can be found in the region of space situated between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars. These celestial bodies follow elliptical paths around the Sun, exhibiting irregular movements and rotations. Their orbits can be influenced by the gravitational force of Jupiter and occasional close encounters with other celestial objects. Resultantly, they may be ejected from the main asteroid belt and redirected onto diverse orbits. Now, NASA reports that one of these monster rocks from the asteroid belt is rushing towards Earth.
NASA telescopes have observed a stadium-sized asteroid that is already on its way to make a dangerously close approach towards Earth. This asteroid has been classified as a Potentially Hazardous Object due to its mammoth size and proximity. NASA has provided crucial details regarding this asteroid. Here is what you need to know.
Asteroid 2023 MG6 details
The asteroid has been named Asteroid 2023 MG6 by NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies. Asteroid 2023 MG6 will pass Earth today, July 16, at a distance of 2.26 million miles. In fact, it is already rushing towards the planet, travelling at a terrifying speed of 44562 kilometers per hour.
What’s shocking about the asteroid is its colossal size. NASA has estimated Asteroid 2023 MG6 to be nearly 910-foot, which is about the size of a stadium! It belongs to the Amor group of asteroids, a group of near-Earth asteroids named after the archetype object 1221 Amor. NASA says that Amor asteroids’ orbit lies between Earth and Mars.
How NASA track these asteroids
Astronomers use optical and radio telescopes to study the size, shape, rotation, and physical composition of these asteroids. Those near-Earth objects that come close enough to Earth are studied in great detail using planetary radar. Such detailed characterization is made possible through the use of radio telescopes located at NASA’s Deep Space Network and the National Science Foundation’s Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.
The need to study these arises from the fact that they have the potential to inflict severe damage on Earth were they to crash against it. The chances are remote, but previous instances of massive crashes on Earth, Moon, Mars and other planets show that the danger is ever-present.
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