Produced by:Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
NASA is monitoring a 120-foot (37-metre) wide asteroid named 2024 ME1, which will make a close approach to Earth on July 10, 2024.
The airplane-sized asteroid is traveling at an astonishing speed of 30,215 kilometres per hour (18,774 miles per hour).
2024 ME1 will safely pass by Earth at a distance of 4.3 million kilometres (2.7 million miles), approximately 11 times the distance between Earth and the Moon.
The asteroid is expected to make its closest approach on July 10, 2024, at 14:51 UTC (8:21 PM IST).
2024 ME1 is part of the Amor group of asteroids, which have orbits that come close to Earth’s orbit but do not intersect it.
NASA and other space agencies continuously monitor Amor asteroids to identify any potential threats well in advance, ensuring high precision in predicting their paths.
The flyby of 2024 ME1 provides scientists with a valuable opportunity to study its characteristics and behavior, offering insights into the remnants of the early solar system.
Interest in space and potential asteroid impacts has increased due to the accessibility of space-related news and dramatic portrayals in movies.
Despite its high speed, 2024 ME1 poses no threat to Earth and will pass at a safe distance, allowing for scientific observation without any danger.