Our solar system is full of celestial bodies, Some are very large, such as planets, and others are much smaller, such as asteroids and comets.
Even these small objects do not remain stationary in space, but rather travel throughout the universe, During their lives, they can pass close to or even collide with larger objects.
The importance of planetary defense programs
Depending on the size of the asteroid. This could represent a major danger to the planet in question. The size of the object is a critical factor, because small asteroids can be completely destroyed as they pass through our atmosphere.
For this reason, many countries have developed planetary defense programs to monitor and monitor the movements of these objects. NASA has moved quickly, and in 2022, thanks to the DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission, It managed to hit the NEO Dimorphos asteroid, deflecting its path slightly.
Recently discovered #asteroid, 2024 JT3, will come very close to our geostationary satellites late tonight/early tomorrow morning. Its brightness will increase to 13 degrees when it passes over the North Pole. To see them, you'll need a site-specific ephemeris such as JPL Horizons. pic.twitter.com/KggRnXUFrc
– Tony Dunne (@tony873004) May 8, 2024
However, it should be noted that what happened recently, on May 9, was a close flyby with no apparent impact on our planet, and did not cause any problems. Although it was observed only a day before its close flyby, on May 8.
NEO 2024 JT3, an Apollo-type near-Earth asteroid, He grazed the Earth, passing the North Pole at a distance of only 24,710 kilometers (less than 0.70 LD, or lunar distance), This is less than the distance at which geostationary satellites are located, which orbit at approximately 36,000 km and at a peak speed of more than 10 km/s.
The dimensions of this asteroid are large, It is comparable to that of a bus, and is estimated to be between 3.9 meters and 8.7 meters in diameter.
This is the 41st asteroid since the beginning of the year that passes near Earth at a distance less than that of the Moon. That is, the average distance between our planet and the moon is estimated at 384,400 kilometers, or approximately 0.002570 astronomical units. This is the fourth time this month alone.
The Near Earth Object Surveyor (NEO Surveyor) is an infrared space telescope developed by @NASA To enhance planetary defense by detecting and characterizing potentially dangerous asteroids and comets located within 30 million miles of Earth's orbit. 1/
https://t.co/iUhsIZ1Qi4 pic.twitter.com/Dvdc9FEr3x
— Erika (@ExploreCosmos_) February 16, 2024
In addition, 2024 JT3 also made its third closest flyby of the year, After asteroid 2024 HA, which approached only 0.040 LD on April 16, and 2024 GJ2, which approached 0.49 LD on April 11.
What is a near-Earth asteroid?
The term NEO is short for Near-Earth Object. This designation is used to designate objects in the solar system whose orbit can exceed that of the Earth. All near-Earth objects have a perihelion distance, the farthest point from the Sun, of less than 1.3 AU.
Near-Earth objects can be asteroids, comets, or probes. Once all near-Earth asteroids are observed, they are recorded and cataloged by the Minor Planet Center, It is an organization that received this mission directly from the International Astronomical Union.
