During the past several months, there have been no sightings of any large asteroids approaching Earth. Instead, we have observed smaller space rocks between 100 and 500 feet wide. Although these small asteroids could potentially cause damage upon impact, they would not pose a global threat or endanger humanity. However, all that is about to change. The 1,049-foot asteroid, classified as potentially hazardous, will make its closest approach to Earth on March 14, NASA reported. This development is particularly worrisome because if the asteroid were to hit Earth, it could potentially cause widespread destruction. Hundreds of kilometers of land and trigger earthquakes, tectonic shifts, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires. This asteroid has the potential to wreak havoc on our planet.
Potentially dangerous Asteroid Getting closer to the ground
Asteroid was added recently. NASA The Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) database has revealed some important information about the asteroid. The name of this asteroid is 2023 CM and it was first observed on February 2 this year and the 4 digit number of its name suggests the same. This asteroid is traveling at a speed of 50474 km per hour. This is extremely fast, even for Asteroid Because most of them travel in the range of 25,000-40,000 kmph. With its size and speed, it could do some serious damage to our planet, if it collided with us.
However, preliminary predictions highlight that the asteroid will come within 3.9 million kilometers of Earth and make a safe passage across the planet without harming us. But last-minute defection happens, and if it did, we would have to face his wrath.
The asteroid is classified as potentially hazardous. NASA assigns this classification to any asteroid that approaches closer than 7.4 million kilometers. Earth And is of sufficient size to pose a serious threat to the planet. With the 2023 CM meeting both of these criteria, the asteroid is a cause for concern for astronomers.
Get to know the NEOWISE telescope.
It is very interesting to understand how this technology actually works. Ever since NASA became aware of the near-Earth object (NEO) threat, it has devoted itself to tracking and monitoring as many space rocks as possible in the inner solar system. Using the capabilities of JPL and the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) telescope, the US space agency collects data on more than 20,000 asteroids.
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