Current:Home > MyThis Valentine's Day, love is in the air and a skyscraper-sized asteroid is whizzing past Earth -FinanceMind
This Valentine's Day, love is in the air and a skyscraper-sized asteroid is whizzing past Earth
View
Date:2025-04-19 20:16:48
It's Valentine's Day, meaning love is in the atmosphere and a giant space rock is expected to pass by just outside of it. Well, maybe not that close, but still pretty close – 4.6 million kilometers or roughly 2.86 million miles – to be more precise.
The asteroid, named 2024 BR4 by NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), is loosely estimated to measure between 140 and 300 meters, or 459 and 984 feet in diameter, which is taller than most skyscrapers. Due to its size, it has been deemed "potentially hazardous" by NASA.
Here's what to know about the celestial event.
We're not the only ones with an eclipse:Mars rover captures moon whizzing by sun's outline
When will asteroid 2024 BR4 pass by Earth?
Asteroid 2024 BR4 will pass by Earth on Feb. 14, 2024, around 11:00 UTC.
What is asteroid 2024 BR4?
See a video:NASA tracked a stadium-size asteroid that passed by Earth but was not a threat
The asteroid was first observed during the automatic Catalina Sky Survey in January and was soon after determined to be about 12 million kilometers, or 7.5 million miles, from Earth. It has since approached Earth steadily but is not expected to pass any closer than 4.6 million kilometers, which is still relatively close: a little less than twelve times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
2024 BR4 is believed to be part of a group of asteroids called Apollo, which has an orbit that sometimes overlaps with Earth's. Despite the group's closeness to our planet, scientists don't anticipate any significant impact threat for a few centuries.
Should we be worried about the asteroid?
While the object is traveling through space at about 9.86 kilometers per second, NASA has assured there is no threat of collision. With a tracking system that has recorded 33,000 near-Earth objects, the organization keeps close tabs on all observable space bodies that get a little too close.
This Valentine's Day is the closest this specific space object will get to Earth for the next 120 years, meaning we can rest assured that this asteroid, at least, isn't out to get us anytime soon.
veryGood! (93)
Related
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Maren Morris’ Ex Ryan Hurd Shares Shirtless Photo in Return to Social Media After Divorce Filing
- Pope Francis calls for global treaty to regulate artificial intelligence: We risk falling into the spiral of a technological dictatorship
- South Korea scrambles jets as China and Russia fly warplanes into its air defense zone
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- How Jonathan Scott and Zooey Deschanel Are Blocking Out the BS Amid Wedding Planning Process
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Apollo 13, Home Alone among movies named to National Film Registry
- Hailee Steinfeld Has Pitch-Perfect Gift Ideas For Everyone On Your List
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- Iran says it has executed an Israeli Mossad spy
Ranking
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- A Thai senator linked to a Myanmar tycoon is indicted for drug trafficking and money laundering
- What's the best dog breed? Survey shows each state's favorite type of pup
- Jury begins deliberating verdict in Jonathan Majors assault trial
- Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
- Women and children first? Experts say that in most crises, it’s more like everyone for themselves
- Are you playing 'Whamageddon'? It's the Christmas game you've probably already lost
- What Zoë Kravitz, Hailey Bieber and More Have Said About Being Nepo Babies
Recommendation
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Nebraska priest and man accused of fatal stabbing had no connection, prosecutor says
The Best Gifts for Couples Who Have Run Out of Ideas
Economists now predict the U.S. is heading for a soft landing. Here's what that means.
Elon Musk's skyrocketing net worth: He's the first person with over $400 billion
Tara Reid Details On and Off Relationship With Tom Brady Prior to Carson Daly Engagement
Queen Camilla is making her podcast debut: What to know
Hailee Steinfeld Has Pitch-Perfect Gift Ideas For Everyone On Your List