Thanks to NASA, we've gotten a closer look at the space objects that interact with our planet and make up the cosmos in great detail. Their extraordinary technology helps us to know when the Earth is vulnerable to danger and when a space rock is nothing more than a rock flying in outer space.
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But on 1 November, an asteroid that has been officially labelled as 'potentially hazardous' will zip past Earth—what does this mean and should we be worried?
2022 RM4, a threat?
Now, NASA labels space objects as 'potentially hazardous' if it comes within 4.65 miles of Earth. The asteroid visiting our periphery tomorrow has been named 2022 RM4 and according to Live Science it will come within 1.43 million miles of Earth, 'at its closest approach'.
The likelihood that it will do any damage to our planet remains very low, but it is important to note that any asteroid with this classification is being closely watched. NASA states on its website:
The majority of near-Earth objects have orbits that don’t bring them very close to Earth, and therefore pose no risk of impact, but a small fraction of them – called potentially hazardous asteroids – require more attention.
CNEOS continuously monitors all known near-Earth objects to assess any impact risk they may pose.
'Monstrous' asteroid
The asteroid is being called 'monstrous' because it is considered to be almost as tall as the Burj Khalifa and apparently has an estimated diameter of 1,083 to 2,428 feet.
Earlier this year, an asteroid five times the size of the Empire State Building grazed past the Earth as well. Known as Asteroid 7335, it is expected to be the largest asteroid to come close to the blue planet in 2022 and will likely remain unrivalled this year.
Sources used:
- New York Post: 'Monstrous asteroid to speed by Earth next week'
- Live Science: 'A monstrously large, 'potentially hazardous' asteroid will zip through Earth's orbit on Halloween'
