Four large asteroids approaching Earth in late October 2024
- Four large asteroids, including one measuring 580 feet, are expected to pass Earth on October 24, 2024, with distances ranging from 4.5 to 5.6 million kilometers.
- NASA recently detected two of these asteroids within the month, emphasizing their potential threat given their size over 150 meters.
- While classified as potentially hazardous, astronomers assert that these asteroids do not pose any threat to Earth for at least the next century.
On October 24, 2024, astronomers reported that four large asteroids, classified as potentially hazardous, are set to pass by Earth. The largest asteroid, designated 2002 NV16, measures 580 feet across and will come within 4.5 million kilometers of Earth, posing no threat during its transit. Another asteroid, 2024 TR6, also discovered recently, will approach within 5.6 million kilometers a few minutes later. These asteroids were identified by NASA's asteroid watch system, which monitors near-Earth objects and assesses their potential risk to our planet. The categorization of these asteroids as hazardous is based on their size and proximity, as they exceed 150 meters in diameter and can come within 30 million miles of Earth. Despite their large size, experts concede that none of the asteroids currently on record pose a risk for at least the next century. However, there remains a concern due to past instances where astronomers detected certain asteroids only hours before they entered Earth's atmosphere. The continuous monitoring of these objects is critical to ensure early warnings and preparedness against future potential threats.