NASA Alert: 250-Foot Asteroid 2024 CJ8 To Fly Near Earth Today
Asteroids, those celestial travellers, have long fascinated and worried humanity. They frequently make their presence known as they pass close to Earth.
While most of these space rocks pose no immediate threat, some cause concern due to their humongous size and scary proximity. Shockingly, today marks the closest approach of five asteroids to Earth. One of the most highlighted of them all is Asteroid 2024 CJ8, a 250-foot behemoth hurtling towards Earth at an astonishing speed. Is it worrying? Here is what NASA has revealed.
Asteroid 2024 CJ8: Key Details
Asteroid 2024 CJ8 is a giant 250-foot asteroid. This near-Earth object boasts an unusual size of 250 feet, making it larger than most other asteroids that come within our cosmic neighbourhood. In comparison, it is as big as a big building! Its rapid journey through space is equally remarkable, as it races towards Earth at a staggering velocity of 43445 km per hour, according to NASA’s CNEOS data.
The asteroid’s close encounter with Earth is a matter of keen interest. Asteroid 2024 CJ8 is expected to make its closest approach today that is on 16th March. As per NASA’s CNEOS, it will come within 4.1 million miles, which in astronomical terms, is a stone’s throw away.
Should You Be Worried? While the chances of a 250-foot asteroid zipping by Earth at breakneck speed might raise concerns, but there’s no need for immediate panic. NASA has been tracking the asteroid’s path and speed constantly. NASA has confirmed that it will maintain a safe distance as it passes by.
However, a close watch towards these monstrous space rocks on a daily basis is crucial to Earthlings.
How Does NASA Monitor Asteroids?
The huge share of asteroid-tracking information is primarily collected by observatories, with giants like Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, NASA’s NEOWISE mission, and the upcoming NEO Surveyor taking the lead. Complementing these observatories are planetary radar initiatives, including JPL’s Goldstone Solar System Radar Group, which plays a pivotal role in NASA’s NEO Observations Program.
