Current:Home > MyThis Valentine's Day, love is in the air and a skyscraper-sized asteroid is whizzing past Earth -Insightful Finance Hub
This Valentine's Day, love is in the air and a skyscraper-sized asteroid is whizzing past Earth
View
Date:2025-04-19 02:32:31
It's Valentine's Day, meaning love is in the atmosphere and a giant space rock is expected to pass by just outside of it. Well, maybe not that close, but still pretty close – 4.6 million kilometers or roughly 2.86 million miles – to be more precise.
The asteroid, named 2024 BR4 by NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), is loosely estimated to measure between 140 and 300 meters, or 459 and 984 feet in diameter, which is taller than most skyscrapers. Due to its size, it has been deemed "potentially hazardous" by NASA.
Here's what to know about the celestial event.
We're not the only ones with an eclipse:Mars rover captures moon whizzing by sun's outline
When will asteroid 2024 BR4 pass by Earth?
Asteroid 2024 BR4 will pass by Earth on Feb. 14, 2024, around 11:00 UTC.
What is asteroid 2024 BR4?
See a video:NASA tracked a stadium-size asteroid that passed by Earth but was not a threat
The asteroid was first observed during the automatic Catalina Sky Survey in January and was soon after determined to be about 12 million kilometers, or 7.5 million miles, from Earth. It has since approached Earth steadily but is not expected to pass any closer than 4.6 million kilometers, which is still relatively close: a little less than twelve times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
2024 BR4 is believed to be part of a group of asteroids called Apollo, which has an orbit that sometimes overlaps with Earth's. Despite the group's closeness to our planet, scientists don't anticipate any significant impact threat for a few centuries.
Should we be worried about the asteroid?
While the object is traveling through space at about 9.86 kilometers per second, NASA has assured there is no threat of collision. With a tracking system that has recorded 33,000 near-Earth objects, the organization keeps close tabs on all observable space bodies that get a little too close.
This Valentine's Day is the closest this specific space object will get to Earth for the next 120 years, meaning we can rest assured that this asteroid, at least, isn't out to get us anytime soon.
veryGood! (9)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Italy’s leader signs deal with industry to lower prices of essentials like food for 3 months
- 'The Golden Bachelor' Gerry Turner reveals what his late wife would think of reality TV stint
- Costco membership price increase 'a question of when, not if,' CFO says
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Hollywood actors to resume negotiations with studios on Monday as writers strike ends
- Murder suspect mistakenly released captured after 2-week manhunt
- Electric vehicle charging stations are a hot commercial property amenity
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Slightly fewer number of Americans apply for jobless benefits as layoffs remain rare
Ranking
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Shooting incident in Slovak capital leaves 1 dead, 4 injured
- 2 lawsuits blame utility for eastern Washington fire that killed man and burned hundreds of homes
- Iowa authorities rescue nearly 100 dogs from apparent puppy mill during routine welfare check
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Lebanese singer and actress Najah Sallam dies at age 92
- McCarthy rejects Senate spending bill while scrambling for a House plan that averts a shutdown
- UAW to announce next round of strike targets Friday: 'Everything is on the table'
Recommendation
McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
How rumors and conspiracy theories got in the way of Maui's fire recovery
Watch Live: Top House Republicans outline basis for Biden impeachment inquiry in first hearing
Hollywood actors to resume negotiations with studios next week as writers strike ends
NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
Jesus Ayala, teen accused in Las Vegas cyclist hit-and-run, boasts he'll be 'out in 30 days'
Talking Heads' 'Stop Making Sense' is still burning down the house
Analysis: By North Korean standards, Pvt. Travis King’s release from detention was quick