American space agency NASA has announced that a huge asteroid is going to pass near the Earth on 24 October 2024 at 9:17 pm (IST). This asteroid has been named 363305 (2002 NV16). This near-Earth object (NEO) is approximately 580 feet tall, which is equivalent in size to a large building. It will pass closest to the Earth at a distance of 4,520,000 kilometers.
This huge asteroid is traveling in space at a speed of about 17,542 kilometers per hour. NASA and other space agencies keep an eye on such asteroids to ensure that they do not pose any threat to our Earth. Asteroid 363305 (2002 NV16) will pass by Earth at a distance of 4,520,000 kilometers. This distance is considered very close compared to the vast expanse of space. By comparison, the average distance between the Earth and the Moon is about 384,400 kilometers, making this asteroid 11 times farther away than the Moon.
Asteroid 363305 (2002 NV16) is classified as a “Potentially Hazardous Asteroid” (PHA) based on its size and proximity. However, NASA has confirmed that there is no threat from this asteroid and it will pass safely near the Earth. NASA and other space agencies continuously monitor such near-Earth objects using advanced telescopes and tracking systems.
This monitoring is very important so that any potential threat can be identified in time. Although asteroid 363305 (2002 NV16) poses no threat, this proximity is another example of the dynamics of our solar system. Recently, asteroid 2024 TY21 also passed by Earth at a safe distance, about 1.35 million kilometers, on October 19. This distance was considered safe for Earth. 2024 TY21 was approximately 40 feet in diameter, which is equivalent to the size of a bus.
