NEWLY DISCOVERED ASTEROID’S CLOSE APPROACH TO EARTH

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TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: A recently discovered asteroid, named 2024 BJ, is set to make its closest approach to Earth on January 27.

EXPLANATION:

• This space rock, measuring up to 121 feet (37 meters) wide, will pass between Earth and the moon.
• Despite its proximity, astronomers assure that there is no threat to our planet.
• We will look into the asteroid’s discovery, trajectory, and the safety measures in place.

Asteroid 2024 BJ (orbit shown in white) will zoom close past Earth (orbit show in light blue)

Discovery and Characteristics:

• Astronomers detected the asteroid on January 17 and officially documented the discovery on the following day.
• Designated as a near-Earth asteroid of the Apollo type, 2024 BJ has an egg-shaped orbit that crosses the Earth’s path.
• The size of the asteroid is estimated to be up to 121 feet wide, posing no significant threat to Earth.

Closest Approach and Trajectory:

• The closest point to Earth is expected to occur at 12:30 p.m. EST on January 27, just three and a half hours after passing close to the moon.
• The estimated speed of the asteroid during its approach is 14,200 mph (22,850 km/h).
• The Virtual Telescope Project will provide a livestream of the event starting from 12:15 p.m. EST, allowing viewers to observe the asteroid as a white speck against the backdrop of stars.

Distance and Comparison:

• 2024 BJ will come within 220,000 miles (354,000 kilometers) of Earth, which is more than nine tenths of the average distance between Earth and the moon.
• The proximity of this asteroid allows for close observation but does not pose a threat.

Asteroid Classification and Earth’s Safety:

• Classified as a near-Earth asteroid of the Apollo type, 2024 BJ belongs to a group whose orbits cross Earth’s path.
• The Apollo asteroids, numbering over 1,600, constitute the majority of Earth-crossing and potentially hazardous asteroids.
• Reassuringly, 2024 BJ is not large enough to be considered hazardous, and current predictions suggest that Earth is safe from cataclysmic “planet-killer” asteroids measuring more than 0.6 miles (1 km) across for the next 1,000 years.

Planetary Defense Measures:

• The analysis touches upon the reassuring fact that Earth appears safe from catastrophic asteroid impacts in the foreseeable future.
• In the event of an unforeseen threat, scientists have devised plans to deflect potentially hazardous asteroids, including using rockets or, in extreme cases, nuclear weapons detonated in space.

Conclusion:

• The detailed analysis provides insights into the characteristics, trajectory, and safety aspects of the newly discovered asteroid 2024 BJ.
• While its close approach offers a unique observational opportunity, the reassurance of Earth’s safety from this specific asteroid is emphasized.
• The broader context includes an overview of asteroid classifications, planetary defense measures, and the ongoing efforts to monitor and understand celestial bodies in our solar system.

SOURCE: https://www.space.com/asteroid-close-encounter-earth-january-27-2024-watch-live