NASA: Two Massive Asteroids Coming Towards Earth Today at High Speed
No Need to Panic, But Let's Keep an Eye on Them
NASA has issued a warning about two massive asteroids that are hurtling towards Earth at high speed today. The asteroids, designated 2023 BU and 2023 BV, are both estimated to be about the size of a small car.
2023 BU is expected to pass by Earth at a distance of about 3,900 miles (6,300 kilometers) at 11:10 p.m. EST (04:10 UTC). 2023 BV is expected to pass by Earth at a distance of about 2,200 miles (3,500 kilometers) at 7:25 p.m. EST (00:25 UTC).
While there is no need to panic, NASA is urging people to keep an eye on these asteroids as they approach Earth. If either asteroid were to impact Earth, it could cause significant damage.
Here's What We Know About the Asteroids
2023 BU was discovered on January 21, 2023, by the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona. 2023 BV was discovered on January 22, 2023, by the Pan-STARRS telescope in Hawaii.
Both asteroids are classified as Aten asteroids, which means they orbit the Sun more quickly than Earth does. This makes them more likely to impact Earth than other types of asteroids.
2023 BU is estimated to be about 120 feet (37 meters) in diameter. 2023 BV is estimated to be about 170 feet (52 meters) in diameter.
What NASA is Doing
NASA is tracking the asteroids closely and will continue to provide updates as they become available. The agency is also working with other organizations to develop plans to mitigate the threat of asteroid impacts.
In 2021, NASA launched the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission. DART is a spacecraft that will impact an asteroid in 2022 in an attempt to change its orbit.
If DART is successful, it will be the first time that humans have ever changed the orbit of an asteroid.
What You Can Do
There is no need to panic about these asteroids. However, it is important to be aware of the potential threat that they pose.
You can stay informed about the latest news on the asteroids by visiting NASA's website. You can also follow NASA on social media for updates.
If you see a bright object in the sky that you think might be an asteroid, please report it to NASA. You can report asteroids by visiting NASA's website or by calling 1-800-NEO-INFO (1-800-636-4636).
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