Two ‘Potentially Hazardous’ Asteroids Near Earth This Week

This week, scientists are closely monitoring the paths of two significant asteroids scheduled to pass close to Earth. The first asteroid, (415029) 2011 UL21, measures approximately 7,200 feet in diameter and is expected to come within 4.1 million miles of our planet on Thursday. This distance is about 17 times farther than the moon’s orbit around Earth. (415029) 2011 UL21 orbits the sun every three years, with its next closest approach not expected until 2052, when it will pass within approximately 26 million miles of Earth.

The second asteroid, known as 2024 MK, will make its closest approach on Saturday, passing at a distance of about 180,198 miles from Earth. Discovered just eleven days ago, 2024 MK ranges between 393 feet and 853 feet in diameter. Although this asteroid is not currently anticipated to impact Earth, experts caution that its potential for significant damage is notable if it were to collide with our planet.

Both asteroids fall under NASA’s category of ‘potentially hazardous objects,’ reserved for objects larger than 150 meters that come within 4.6 million miles of Earth. Despite this classification, current assessments suggest that neither asteroid poses an immediate threat during their upcoming passes.

The timing of these close encounters is as follows: (415029) 2011 UL21 is expected to pass Earth around 4:16 p.m. EDT on Thursday, while 2024 MK will approach around 9:46 a.m. EDT on Saturday.

For those interested in observing these celestial events, opportunities to view them differ: (415029) 2011 UL21 may not be visible to the naked eye due to its distance from Earth. However, NASA offers a virtual asteroid tracker that provides real-time updates on the location of asteroids within our solar system. Additionally, the Virtual Telescope Project will livestream the event for enthusiasts worldwide. On the other hand, 2024 MK may be observable using a small telescope under clear and dark skies, according to the European Space Agency.

Asteroid Day 2024 is set to occur this Sunday, marking a global effort to commemorate the anniversary of the Tunguska event on June 30, 1908. This significant asteroid impact in Russia serves as a stark reminder of the potential hazards posed by asteroids and the importance of ongoing planetary defense efforts.

In addition to (415029) 2011 UL21 and 2024 MK, three smaller asteroids—2022 MM1, 2010 XN, and 2022 HD1—are also expected to pass by Earth this week. These events offer a unique opportunity for astronomers and enthusiasts alike to observe and study the dynamics of our solar system while reflecting on the potential impacts of near-Earth objects.