NASA: A huge asteroid is flying towards Earth – even visible to amateur astronomers

At the end of August, an asteroid is heading towards Earth. It is classified as potentially dangerous. NASA is already planning to observe the orb.

Munich – Asteroids are small astronomical bodies that move around the Sun. Time and time again, some celestial bodies fly towards the Earth. Most of them are harmless. They are passing through the blue planet. With others, scientists fear a devastating collision will occur in the coming years. At the end of August, a ball of rock rushes towards the ground, which is surprisingly close to us. NASA plans to monitor the 2016 AJ193 projectile closely.

A huge asteroid flying towards Earth at a speed of 94,208 kilometers per hour: “Potential danger”

1.4 kilometers wide and 94,208 kilometers per hour fast: The asteroid named 2016 AJ193 was first observed by NASA in January 2016. The space agency has classified the star as a “potentially dangerous asteroid.” Like the side of space earthsky.org Whatever is known, the orbit of the orb is well known. So their locations can be calculated with relative accuracy.

And according to the site, even with its current approach to Earth, there is likely no danger. The asteroid will fly through Earth at a safe distance, but it is relatively short. There is no collision risk.

Huge asteroid unusually close to Earth: even visible to amateur astronomers

For a celestial body 1.4 kilometers wide, the 2016 AJ193 comes incredibly close to Earth. By the time the asteroid was closest to Earth, it was hovering about 8.9 times the distance between Earth and the Moon above us. That is why it is said: The hobby of astronomers is taking note. Not only professionals can observe the asteroid on August 21. The celestial body is noisy even with smaller telescopes earthsky.org Visible. The space object in Germany will have the shortest distance at 4:10 pm (3:10 pm UTC). In the United States, where the asteroid reaches its shortest distance around 11:10 am, it is recommended to look at the sky with a telescope a few hours before sunrise. Then 2016 AJ193 is on the way in the constellation Rabbit. The orb cannot be seen with the naked eye.

It is worth watching. As the calculations show, there will be no close flyby of the asteroid in the next 65 years. Moreover, its orbit data has not yet been calculated.

Huge asteroid unusually close to Earth: NASA wants to watch closely

Not only will space lovers stand in front of the windows on August 21. NASA scientists plan to keep a close eye on the sky between August 20 and August 24, when the AJ193 rocket passed in 2016. In addition to the orbit, much of the data about the fast asteroid is still unknown. (CHD)

Category Image: © NASA Goddard Space Flight Center / NASA / dpa