Two airplane-sized asteroids to fly by Earth today, NASA sees no threat

Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Center for NEO Studies (CNEOS) continuously monitors Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) for an assessment of any potential impact risk. (Image for representation - courtesy: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroid-watch)

In a celestial event that has captured the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts, two asteroids comparable in size to an airplane, are scheduled to make close flyby of Earth on November 23, according to information from the Asteroid Watch dashboard on the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a research and development center affiliated with the US space agency NASA.

Asteroid 2023 VH6: Approach at 1.63 million miles

The first in line, known as 2023 VH6 and categorised within the Apollo group of asteroids, is set to pass within a distance of 1.63 million miles from Earth. Discovered in 2023, this approximately 87-foot asteroid has drawn comparisons to an airplane in terms of its dimensions.

Asteroid 2023 VC7: A flyby at 2.53 million miles

Following closely behind is Asteroid 2023 VC7, also part of the Apollo group. Measuring around 75 feet, this asteroid will maintain a more distant approach, passing within 2.53 million miles of our planet. Like VH6, it was first observed in 2023.

The close-approaching asteroids pose no threat to Earth, as per NASA.

Understanding potentially hazardous asteroids

NASA defines potentially hazardous asteroids as those exceeding approximately 460 feet (140 meters) in size, with orbits that bring them within 4.6 million miles (7.5 million kilometers) of Earth's orbit around the Sun.

Asteroid Watch Dashboard: Tracking close approaches

While the space agency's JPL Asteroid Watch tracks asteroids and comets making close approaches to Earth, and provides key information such as the date of closest approach, object diameter, relative size, and distance from Earth for each encounter, the research and development wing, Center for NEO Studies (CNEOS), continuously monitors Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) for an assessment of any potential impact risk.

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Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)

Most asteroids find their orbits within the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. However, some, known as near-Earth objects (NEOs), occasionally approach the Earth's vicinity, according to JPL. Composed mainly of water ice with embedded dust particles, these NEOs offer valuable insights into the solar system's formation, JPL stated.

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What are asteroids and their scientific significance

Asteroids are small, quiet objects that go around the Sun. They're made mostly of rocks, dust, and metal. Many stay in a group between Mars and Jupiter called the main asteroid belt. Others come closer to Earth, and some are far out past Neptune.

Asteroids are remnants of the solar system's formation process some 4.6 billion years ago. These are like the leftovers or building blocks of how our solar system came to be. NASA said by studying them, scientists can figure out their chemical mixture and how planets formed.

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