According to NASA, two gigantic asteroids are fast approaching the Earth in the next couple of days. One will come close to our planet on July 29 and the other one on July 30. Is there a chance of an asteroid strike?
On July 26, NASA reported that a 400-feet wide asteroid will be making a close approach towards the Earth tomorrow, on July 29. This is a big incident since in the last two months, we have not seen an asteroid this large coming close to our planet. But now, it seems that the Earth should prepare itself for an asteroid double trouble! According to NASA, another asteroid, this one even bigger at 600-feet wide, is also going to approach the Earth just one day later on July 30. This will make it a very rare and a scary time for Earth because not only two massive asteroids will be passing us in quick succession, if even one of them struck our planet, it can spell a catastrophe for us.
According to the Jet Propulsion lab, a division of NASA, these two asteroids have been named 2016 CZ31 and 2013 CU83. The asteroid 2016 CZ31 is expected to zoom past the Earth on July 29 at a very close distance of 2.8 million kilometers. The larger asteroid 2013 CU83 will approach the Earth on July 30 and is expected to fly past us at a distance of 6.9 million kilometers. At the moment, none of the asteroids are expected to strike the Earth. However, the space agency is closely monitoring the space rocks to ensure if a last moment deviation happens for either of the asteroids and they do begin moving towards the Earth, we can find out at the earliest.
Asteroid double trouble brewing for Earth on July 29-30
According to NASA Small-Body Database, the July 30 asteroid has been labeled as a potentially hazardous asteroid due to its size and close proximity to the Earth. This classification denotes that an asteroid has the capability of striking the Earth in the future. Asteroid 2016 CZ31 in comparison is only classified as a near-Earth object (NEO) and seems far less dangerous even when it will be passing closer to the Earth.
Right now, it appears that the chances for an asteroid strike is minimal but things can change at a moment’s notice. This is why the Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) closely monitors all NEO asteroids for any deviation in its path that can make it a threat for Earth. Meanwhile the asteroid enthusiasts will need a powerful telescope to see this space rock in action. The asteroids will be visible throughout the nights of July 29 and July 30.
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