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NASA Alert: Two giant airplane-sized asteroids speeding towards Earth today; will they hit Earth?

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is keeping a close watch. Two giant asteroids, 2024 RY15 and 2024 RZ21, are set to fly by Earth.

September 21, 2024 / 13:10 IST
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Asteroid Near Sun (Representative Image - Canva)

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory is keeping a close watch. Two giant asteroids, 2024 RY15 and 2024 RZ21, are set to fly by Earth. Although these asteroids are large, there's no immediate danger. NASA's constant vigilance ensures their safe passage while providing scientists with valuable insights.

2024 RY15: Large but No Threat Asteroid 2024 RY15 measures around 84 feet across. It's classified as potentially hazardous due to its size. However, it will pass Earth at 558,000 kilometres. This is much farther away than the Moon.

2024 RZ21: Slightly Larger, Yet Harmless 2024 RZ21, measuring 110 feet, will pass at a distance of 2,780,000 kilometres. Despite coming closer than RY15, there is no risk.
Why NASA’s Monitoring Matters NASA’s JPL continuously tracks asteroids, ensuring no potential threats go unnoticed. This careful monitoring is crucial for both planetary safety and scientific exploration. The data helps deepen our understanding of near-Earth objects.

Both asteroids will safely bypass Earth, allowing scientists a unique opportunity. This encounter further underscores the importance of ongoing vigilance in space research.

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Sheetal Kumari
first published: Sep 21, 2024 01:10 pm

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