Airplane-sized asteroid heading towards Earth at a speed of 30,381 km/h
Science: NASA has warned that asteroid 2024 OR1 will fly past Earth on August 6, 2024 at 13:11 UTC (6:41 PM IST). This airplane-sized asteroid, about 110 feet or 34 meters in diameter, will pass at an incredible speed of 30,381 km/h. 2024 OR1 being an Apollo asteroid, presents a great opportunity for observation and scientific analysis. Apollo asteroids are near-Earth objects whose orbits cross Earth’s path. Generally, they maintain a safe distance; however, the potentially hazardous ones are those that are larger than 460 feet and approach within 4.6 million miles of Earth. Although it is an Apollo, 2024 OR1 will safely pass Earth at a distance of about 3.4 million kilometers, well beyond the hazardous limit because of its small size. Tracking of all known NEOs is done by NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, in order to monitor collision risks. Orbit data goes to the Minor Planet Center from the accumulation of a network of observatories that are spread nearly worldwide, with many amateur astronomers contributing. Notable sources of data include the NASA-funded observatories Pan-STARRS and the Catalina Sky Survey. Next-generation projects designed to provide better monitoring are under development; these include the NEO Surveyor mission and a radar program led by JPL’s Goldstone Solar System Radar Group. While asteroid 2024 OR1 is not a threat in itself, other asteroids of this magnitude could cause massive regional damage. For example, the 2013 Chelyabinsk event over Russia showed that even a very small asteroid can cause injuries and property damage. Larger impacts could result in severe consequences such as tsunamis or climate disturbances.
