Two bus-sized asteroids to whizz past Earth on November 11

These space objects, which have been there since the Earth's formation 4.6 billion years ago, might be the key to understanding life on Earth, according to scientists. (Representative Image source: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov)

Two asteroids, 2023 VL2 and 2023 VY3, both the size of a bus, are gearing up for a close pass by Earth on November 11, according to Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a research and development centre affiliated with the US space agency NASA.

Asteroid 2023 VL2, categorised within the Apollo group of asteroids with an approximate size of 25 feet (8 meters), is expected to make its closest approach to Earth at a distance of 634,000 miles (1,020,000 km).

While, asteroid 2023 VY3, which is also part of the Apollo group, measuring approximately 34 feet (10 meters) is also set to approach Earth reaching its closest point at a distance of 822,000 miles (1,320,000 km).

NASA reassures: Earth is not in danger from asteroids

NASA believes that neither of the two asteroids poses a threat to Earth. The US space agency classifies an asteroid as "potentially hazardous" if it is larger than 150 metres. These two oncoming asteroids are not that big. As a point of comparison, Earth and the moon are typically separated by roughly 239,000 miles (385,000 km).

NASA's 'Asteroid Watch' tracks asteroids coming near earth

NASA's Asteroid Watch dashboard tracks comets and asteroids and shows key data including the date of an asteroid's closest approach, relative size, object diameter and distance from Earth. Furthermore, real-time imaging of asteroids and comets throughout the galaxy is available on the 'Eyes on Asteroids' portal.

What are asteroids?

Rocky pieces that date back 4.6 billion years to the birth of our solar system are known as asteroids. They provide an important record of the evolution of our early solar system. The estimated number of asteroids is 1.3 million.

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Why study asteroids?

The majority of meteorites that have struck the Earth's surface so far are from their asteroid sources, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Since many of these meteorites have undergone extensive chemical and physical studies, research on them is essential, the space agency said. These space objects, which have been there since the Earth's formation 4.6 billion years ago, might be the key to understanding life on Earth, according to scientists.

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Larger asteroids have the potential to inflict catastrophic local or worldwide catastrophes if they impact Earth. Studying the compositions, structures, sizes, and trajectories of asteroids is essential to reducing the possible threats they present, even though the likelihood of such an impact is unlikely, NASA said.