‘It’s damn close’ Mega asteroid will pass Earth NEXT WEEK as NASA scramble to intercept it
‘It’s damn close’ Mega asteroid will pass Earth NEXT WEEK as NASA scramble to intercept it
A HUGE asteroid will narrowly miss Earth next week as scientists scramble to monitor its progress.
The 100ft-wide space rock is expected to fly by on October 12.
It first hurtled past our planet in October 2012 at almost double the distance.
Scientists tracked it down last month and NASA are now keeping a close eye on it.
Boffins will monitor the asteroid to make sure Earth’s planetary defence system is up to scratch.
NASA researcher Dr Michael Kelly said: “Scientists have always appreciated knowing when an asteroid will make a close approach to and safely pass the Earth because they can make preparations to collect data to characterise and learn as much as possible about it.”
“This time we are adding in another layer of effort, using this asteroid flyby to test the worldwide asteroid detection and tracking network.”
Those monitoring the asteroid – named 2012 TC4 – believe it will hurtle past the Earth at a distance of around 27,000 miles at a speed of 30,000 mph.
It will just avoid geostationary satellites positioned in space.
Daily Star previously reported how the rock was on course for Earth back in July.
Rolf Densing, who runs the European Space Operations Centre, said: “It’s damn close. The farthest satellites are about 22,400 miles out, so this is indeed a close miss.”
2012 TC4 was still 35 million miles from Earth at the time of observation.
The last major asteroid to strike Earth hit Russia in 2013, injuring 1,500 people and damaging over 7,000 buildings.
‘It’s damn close’ Mega asteroid will pass Earth NEXT WEEK as NASA scramble to intercept it
A HUGE asteroid will narrowly miss Earth next week as scientists scramble to monitor its progress.
The 100ft-wide space rock is expected to fly by on October 12.
It first hurtled past our planet in October 2012 at almost double the distance.
Scientists tracked it down last month and NASA are now keeping a close eye on it.
Boffins will monitor the asteroid to make sure Earth’s planetary defence system is up to scratch.
NASA researcher Dr Michael Kelly said: “Scientists have always appreciated knowing when an asteroid will make a close approach to and safely pass the Earth because they can make preparations to collect data to characterise and learn as much as possible about it.”
“This time we are adding in another layer of effort, using this asteroid flyby to test the worldwide asteroid detection and tracking network.”
Those monitoring the asteroid – named 2012 TC4 – believe it will hurtle past the Earth at a distance of around 27,000 miles at a speed of 30,000 mph.
It will just avoid geostationary satellites positioned in space.
Daily Star previously reported how the rock was on course for Earth back in July.
Rolf Densing, who runs the European Space Operations Centre, said: “It’s damn close. The farthest satellites are about 22,400 miles out, so this is indeed a close miss.”
2012 TC4 was still 35 million miles from Earth at the time of observation.
The last major asteroid to strike Earth hit Russia in 2013, injuring 1,500 people and damaging over 7,000 buildings.
