logo
Shutterstock.com
Shutterstock.com

Potentially Hazardous Asteroid the Size of the Golden Gate Bridge Will Fly past Earth

Jené Liebenberg
Mar 05, 2021
09:10 P.M.

Experts have said that the large asteroid may be hazardous but are confident that the chances of impact are low.

Advertisement

Asteroid 231937 (2001 FO32) has been categorized by NASA as an Apollo-Asteroid that will travel past Earth within a distance of 2,016,424 km and is said to pass us on March 21, 2021.

Although the chances of the asteroid hitting Earth are slim to none, the experts have classified the asteroid as potentially dangerous, being it is the same size as the Golden Gate Bridge.

Image of an asteroid | Source: Pixabay/ Alexander Antropov

Image of an asteroid | Source: Pixabay/ Alexander Antropov

DANGER WARNING

Because the incoming asteroid is larger than 500 feet in diameter, measuring between 0.5 and 1 mile in diameter, and comes within the 4.65 million mile range of our planet, it is classified as a potential hazard.

The asteroid is an outlier forming part of the top three percent of asteroids where size is concerned. In terms of big asteroids, this one is still considered generally small. Paul Chodas, director of the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, explained:

Advertisement

"This is the closest predicted approach in 2021 for any moderately large asteroid, where 'moderately large' means at least several hundred meters in size."

GOING DOWN IN HISTORY

This asteroid is also going down in the records as one of the fastest space rocks to travel so closely past Earth as it will be flying at a staggering speed of 21 miles per second.

Advertisement

231937 (2001 FO32) is on an 810-day orbit, which the experts are well acquainted with. 190 observations were used to track and determine the asteroid's orbit, which was initially started in 2001.

NOT FOR THE NAKED EYE

Despite the magnanimous size of the flying space rock, it won't be visible to the naked eye, but backyard telescope users stand a much greater chance of catching a glimpse of the asteroid.

Advertisement

An asteroid's characteristics allow it to be seen through the lens of a telescope with the same clarity as one would if you were watching a star moving slowly. EarthSky explained:

"Asteroid 2001 FO32 will be sweeping past Earth at such a fast pace that, when it's closest, observers using 8-inch or larger telescopes might be able to detect it."

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Advertisement

The Golden State Bridge-sized asteroid isn't the only one that the experts are zoned in on at the moment. Asteroid Apophis will be closely passing by the planet on March 5, 2021.

Apophis isn't labeled as dangerous as it makes its way across our path this time, but the asteroid named after the Egyptian god of chaos may be the cause of turmoil in the years to come.

This asteroid moves past Earth in close proximity once every ten years, resulting in this flyby as an opportunity for NASA to gather as much information about the space rock as possible.

Apophis measures almost as tall as the Empire State building as it is 370 meters wide. It makes a complete journey around the sun every 324 days, meeting up with our planet every decade.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Harrison Ford’s Wife Calista Flockhart Steps Out in Floral Pink Dress & Mesh Gloves

January 16, 2024

What Mickey Rourke Would Look Like at 71 If He Never Had Plastic Surgeries – 6 Photos via AI

February 04, 2024

'The Rate He Is Growing Is Nuts': Parents Worry as Giant Son 19 Months Old Is Size of 4-Year-Old Brother

November 11, 2023

Donald Joe Heche Predeceased His Daughter Anne Heche – He Died of AIDS

November 29, 2023

Harrison Ford 'Wasn't Expecting' to Have Another Child before He Met Single Mom & Raised Her Adopted Son as His Own

January 16, 2024

5-Year-Old Girl Dies in Hospital after Being Swept Out into the Water – Family Pays Tribute to a ‘Beautiful Soul’

November 28, 2023

Am I Wrong for Leaving a Family Dinner at an Upscale Restaurant?

January 23, 2024

Tori Spelling Channels Donna Martin from ‘90210’ While Flaunting Flat Stomach in Red Crop Top & Mini Skirt

December 06, 2023

JLo Praised for Shopping at Flea Market despite Superstar Owning Millions — 3 Times She Was Captured There

November 08, 2023

68-Year-Old Grandmother Passes Away in Front of Grandson – She Warned People about Potential Danger

February 22, 2024

68-Year-Old Grandmother Passes Away in Front of Grandson – She Warned People about Potential Danger

February 07, 2024

A Woman Loses Her Beloved Grandfather & Finds a Mysterious Box on the Bench Where They Loved to Spend Time

December 11, 2023

Woman Is Certain Her Husband Died until She Comes across His New Tinder Profile – Story of the Day

February 20, 2024

My Daughter Mocked Classmate's Cheap Birthday Gift until She Learned the Truth from the Girl's Mother

March 04, 2024