Asteroid measuring between 120 and 160 metres to whiz past Earth, June 29
Asteroid measuring between 120 and 160 metres to whiz past Earth, June 29
29/06/2024 12:13, TUNIS/Tunisia
Tunis, June 29 (TAP)-An asteroid named "2024 MK," measuring between 120 and 160 metres, will whiz past the Earth on Saturday June 29 at around 13:46 GMT (15:46 local time).
It may pass at a distance of approximately 290,000 km from the Earth's surface (75% of the distance between the Earth and the Moon).
This asteroid, which will make its passage on the eve of International Asteroid Day (June 30), had only been detected on Sunday June 16, 2024. Its flyby of planet Earth comes barely 15 years after its discovery date, said scientific supervisor at the Science City Hichem Yahya.
"The passage of this asteroid poses no risk of impact, as the Earth is protected by the atmospheric shield, in addition to the existence of an asteroid monitoring system for planetary defence purposes," Yahya pointed out.
Asteroids are considered leftover building blocks, which never developed into planets at the early stage of the Solar System. They are currently located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, but they may sometimes change course after being pulled from their orbit by Jupiter's gravity.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).