The giant asteroid will pass close to Earth today, record the whole time page

KOMPAS.com – The largest asteroid passing Earth this year will be at its closest distance on Sunday (3/21/2021) at midnight.

This provides a rare opportunity for astronomers to see the space rock named 2001 FO32 more clearly.

The United States Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said there was no threat of collision between the asteroid and our planet.

“There is no threat to our planet, not now or for centuries to come,” NASA said. AFP, Sunday (3/21/2021).

Also read: This asteroid will cross the earth on March 21, 3 times the height of the Eiffel Tower

According to NASA, asteroid 2001 F032 is two million kilometers (1.25 million miles) from Earth. That distance is 5.25 times the distance from Earth to the Moon.

However, asteroid 2001 FO32 is still classified as a potentially dangerous asteroid.

“We know the 2001 FO32 orbital path around the Sun with great precision,” said Paul Chodas, director of the Center for Near Earth Object Studies.

NASA says 2001 FO32 will pass at a speed of about 124,000 kilometers per hour, faster than the speed of most asteroids that hit Earth.

The asteroid is estimated to be about 900 meters in diameter and was discovered 20 years ago. Its diameter is approximately three times the height of the Eiffel Tower.

Astronomers hope to gain a better understanding of the size of the asteroid and a rough idea of ​​its composition by studying the reflection of light from its surface.

“When sunlight hits the surface of the asteroid, minerals in the rock absorb some wavelengths while reflecting off others,” NASA said.

“By studying the spectrum of light reflected from the surface, astronomers can measure the chemical traces of minerals on the asteroid’s surface.”

According to the Paris Observatory, the largest astronomical research center in France,
The asteroid will be closest to Earth around 16:00 GMT on Sunday or 23:00 WIB.

Amateur astronomers in some parts of the world need to be able to make their own observations.

“The asteroid will get brighter as it moves across the southern sky,” said Chodas.

Also Read: 4 Facts About Sulawesi Meteor Falls, Brighter Than Non-Asteroids

“Amateur astronomers in the southern hemisphere and in low northern latitudes should be able to detect this asteroid using a medium-sized telescope with a hole of at least eight inches at night before its closest approach, but they may need star maps. to find it. “

NASA says that more than 95 percent of near-Earth asteroids measuring 2001 FO32 or more have been cataloged and none of them have a chance of impacting our planet over the next century.

NASA says that by 2001 FO32 will be close to Earth in the year 2052.

66 million years ago, an asteroid roughly twice the diameter of Paris struck Earth, killing 75 percent of life on the planet.