Key Points
- Asteroid 2024 UT7, 190 feet wide, will fly close to Earth today.
- The closest approach happened at 08:03 AM IST.
- It will travel at 29,946 km/h and pass just 1 million kilometers from Earth.
- Although not considered “potentially hazardous,” it is being closely watched.
- NASA tracks asteroids like 2024 UT7 through its NEO Observations Program.
Looma News
NASA has warned about asteroid 2024 UT7, which will pass near Earth today, coming within just 1 million kilometers of our planet. The asteroid, which is about 190 feet wide, about the size of a 15-story building, is part of the Apollo group of asteroids. These are known for crossing Earth’s orbit. Traveling at 29,946 km/h, it is expected to make its closest approach at 08:03 AM IST today.
Although asteroid 2024 UT7 isn’t large enough to be called a “potentially hazardous asteroid” (PHAs), which are typically over 460 feet wide and pass within 4.6 million miles of Earth, its close distance and high speed make it a priority for NASA’s monitoring programs. A collision from an asteroid of this size could cause massive explosions, with effects similar to multiple atomic bombs. This could lead to the destruction of cities and powerful shockwaves that reach far beyond the impact zone.
NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) is actively tracking such objects using tools like the Pan-STARRS and Catalina Sky Survey, as well as radar systems like JPL’s Goldstone radar. These efforts are vital to keep a close watch on any potential threats from asteroids like 2024 UT7 and to prepare for possible mitigation if necessary. Through its NEO Observations Program, NASA monitors thousands of asteroids to keep Earth safe from potential impacts.
