Current:Home > MarketsThis Valentine's Day, love is in the air and a skyscraper-sized asteroid is whizzing past Earth -MoneySpot
This Valentine's Day, love is in the air and a skyscraper-sized asteroid is whizzing past Earth
View
Date:2025-04-18 06:40:24
It's Valentine's Day, meaning love is in the atmosphere and a giant space rock is expected to pass by just outside of it. Well, maybe not that close, but still pretty close – 4.6 million kilometers or roughly 2.86 million miles – to be more precise.
The asteroid, named 2024 BR4 by NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), is loosely estimated to measure between 140 and 300 meters, or 459 and 984 feet in diameter, which is taller than most skyscrapers. Due to its size, it has been deemed "potentially hazardous" by NASA.
Here's what to know about the celestial event.
We're not the only ones with an eclipse:Mars rover captures moon whizzing by sun's outline
When will asteroid 2024 BR4 pass by Earth?
Asteroid 2024 BR4 will pass by Earth on Feb. 14, 2024, around 11:00 UTC.
What is asteroid 2024 BR4?
See a video:NASA tracked a stadium-size asteroid that passed by Earth but was not a threat
The asteroid was first observed during the automatic Catalina Sky Survey in January and was soon after determined to be about 12 million kilometers, or 7.5 million miles, from Earth. It has since approached Earth steadily but is not expected to pass any closer than 4.6 million kilometers, which is still relatively close: a little less than twelve times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
2024 BR4 is believed to be part of a group of asteroids called Apollo, which has an orbit that sometimes overlaps with Earth's. Despite the group's closeness to our planet, scientists don't anticipate any significant impact threat for a few centuries.
Should we be worried about the asteroid?
While the object is traveling through space at about 9.86 kilometers per second, NASA has assured there is no threat of collision. With a tracking system that has recorded 33,000 near-Earth objects, the organization keeps close tabs on all observable space bodies that get a little too close.
This Valentine's Day is the closest this specific space object will get to Earth for the next 120 years, meaning we can rest assured that this asteroid, at least, isn't out to get us anytime soon.
veryGood! (21814)
Related
- Small twin
- LeBron James' Wife Savannah Explains Why She's Stayed Away From the Spotlight in Rare Interview
- U.S. Climate Pledge Hangs in the Balance as Court Weighs Clean Power Plan
- Algae Fuel Inches Toward Price Parity with Oil
- A White House order claims to end 'censorship.' What does that mean?
- CRISPR gene-editing may boost cancer immunotherapy, new study finds
- In Florida, 'health freedom' activists exert influence over a major hospital
- Lawyers Challenge BP Over ‘Greenwashing’ Ad Campaign
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- U.S. Solar Industry Fights to Save Controversial Clean Energy Grants
Ranking
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Ashley Graham Shares the Beauty Must-Have She Uses Morning, Noon and Night
- As Hurricane Michael Sweeps Ashore, Farmers Fear Another Rainfall Disaster
- Joining Trend, NY Suspends Review of Oil Train Terminal Permit
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- In Florida, 'health freedom' activists exert influence over a major hospital
- Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis Share Update on Freaky Friday Sequel
- Popular COVID FAQs in 2022: Outdoor risks, boosters, 1-way masking, faint test lines
Recommendation
Warm inflation data keep S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq under wraps before Fed meeting next week
Joining Trend, NY Suspends Review of Oil Train Terminal Permit
Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis Share Update on Freaky Friday Sequel
Demi Lovato Recalls Feeling So Relieved After Receiving Bipolar Diagnosis
The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
Full transcript of Face the Nation, June 11, 2023
Popular COVID FAQs in 2022: Outdoor risks, boosters, 1-way masking, faint test lines
Heat wave returns as Greece grapples with more wildfire evacuations