There’s something quietly thrilling about watching the skies. While we carry on with daily life, space continues to hurl visitors our way. One such traveller, asteroid 2019 NW5, is on course for a close but safe pass by Earth.
A Space Visitor Comes Close—But Not Too Close
NASA has confirmed the approach of asteroid 2019 NW5. The space rock is expected to fly past Earth on 9 July. Measuring around 200 feet wide, it’s similar in size to a small aeroplane. At its closest point, it will be about 3.62 million kilometres away. That might sound far, but in cosmic terms, it’s a near pass. The asteroid is travelling at a brisk speed of 36,900 miles per hour.
2019 NW5 belongs to the Aten group of asteroids. These orbit the Sun in paths that often cross Earth's orbit. Although this one is sizeable, NASA says it poses no danger. For a space object to be classed as hazardous, it must come within 7.4 million kilometres and be at least 85 meters wide. This asteroid doesn’t meet either mark, yet scientists are still keeping a watchful eye. Even tiny changes in orbit could make a big difference in future trajectories.
ISRO’s Eyes on the Future
While 2019 NW5 presents no immediate threat, space agencies remain alert. India’s space agency ISRO is already looking ahead to a major event in 2029. That’s when asteroid Apophis will come close to Earth. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath has stressed the need for planetary defence.
He plans to collaborate with NASA, ESA, and JAXA to monitor such threats. Somanath says asteroid impacts could cause large-scale disasters. ISRO is also preparing for missions that could land on asteroids. These will help scientists understand threats and develop methods to protect Earth.
As 2019 NW5 sails by harmlessly, it reminds us to keep looking upward. The universe may be vast, but its visitors can still pass by close.
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