In their ongoing mission to keep our planet safe from celestial threats, NASA has its radar set on Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs).
The state-of-the-art Sentry II system is at the forefront of this endeavor, meticulously tracking these space rocks to predict potential dangers.
A recent alert from NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has drawn attention to an incoming asteroid, designated as 1998 HH49.
This massive celestial body, roughly the size of a skyscraper at 600 feet, is set to make a close flyby on October 17.
While its expected distance from Earth at its closest is a sizable 1.17 million kilometers, its sheer size and speed, an impressive 53,233 kilometers per hour, make it a point of interest for astronomers.
First spotted on April 28, 1998, and subsequently observed on December 1, 2021, this asteroid hails from the notorious Apollo group, renowned for its Earth-crossing members.
The Apollo asteroids have earned their reputation in the cosmic community. Named in honor of the 1862 Apollo asteroid discovered by Karl Reinmuth in 1932, these celestial bodies are known to cross Earth's path.
Their proximity has led to notable incidents, such as the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor explosion.
This event saw a meteor from the Apollo class detonating over Chelyabinsk city in Russia, resulting in around 1,500 injuries primarily due to the blast shattering windows.
Given 1998 HH49's dimensions, it falls into the "potentially hazardous" category. NASA classifies asteroids larger than 150 metres in diameter as potential threats due to the significant damage they could inflict upon impact.
Although this specific asteroid's flyby is anticipated to be safe, its presence serves as a reminder of the vast universe's unpredictability and the importance of agencies like NASA monitoring the skies.
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