Asteroid over 400 meters in size approaches Earth – NASA considers it potentially dangerous
4 June 16:27
on June 6, a large asteroid 424482 (2008 DG5), which is classified as potentially dangerous, will fly near our planet. This is reported by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to scientists, the length of this celestial body is 421 meters, and the closest distance to the Earth during the passage will reach 3,492,789 kilometers.
NASA considers an object potentially dangerous if its diameter exceeds 150 meters and it approaches the planet at a distance of less than 7.5 million kilometers. Asteroid 2008 DG5 meets both criteria, both in terms of size and trajectory.
Although there is currently no threat of collision, scientists continue to monitor the asteroid’s movement as part of the Space Threat Early Warning System.
Asteroids are celestial bodies that orbit the Sun, mostly in the main belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. They are composed mainly of stone, metals, or a mixture of both, and are considered to be remnants of the material from which the planets of the solar system were formed.
General characteristics
Size: from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers in diameter. The largest, Ceres (approx. 940 km), is so large that it is also classified as a dwarf planet.
Shape: often irregularly shaped, due to insufficient gravity to form a ball.
Orbits: most are concentrated in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, but there are also near-Earth objects (NEOs) that cross the Earth’s orbit.
Types of asteroids
C-type (carbonaceous): the most common, dark, and rich in carbon.
S-type (silicate): lighter, rich in rocky materials.
M-type (metallic): composed mainly of nickel and iron, rare.
How they differ from comets
Asteroids are solid, without an atmosphere or tail, mostly rocky or metallic.
Comets – contain ice and dust, have characteristic tails that form when they approach the Sun.
Potential hazard
NASA and other agencies track potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs). These are objects that
- have a diameter of more than 150 meters
- are approaching less than 7.5 million kilometers to the Earth
An asteroid that falls to Earth could cause significant damage, especially if it is over 1 km in diameter.
Isit possible to prevent a collision?
In 2022, NASA successfully tested the DART mission, which changed the trajectory of an asteroid by hitting it with a probe.
This is the first practical proof that planetary defense technology can work.
