NASA alert: Three asteroids narrowly pass by Earth; check speed, size and more

Asteroid flybys have become a common occurrence over the past few months. These space rocks, also known as asteroids, are rocky, airless remnants of the early days of the solar system some 4.6 billion years ago. According to NASA, there are currently 1,351,400 asteroids, most of which orbit the sun in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Now, NASA has revealed traces of three asteroids that have been observed moving toward Earth in their orbits and are expected to pass by Earth today (April 2).

Also read: What are asteroids and how ESA tracks them

Asteroid 2024 FR3

NASA has named the first asteroid to pass by the Earth today as 2024 FR3. It is expected to pass just 1.3 million kilometers from Earth. According to NASA, the asteroid is traveling in its orbit at a speed of 38,424 kilometers per hour, even faster than the International Space Station (ISS)!

In terms of size, asteroid 2024 FR3 is about 78 feet across, almost as big as a house. It belongs to the Apollo group of near-Earth asteroids, which are space rocks that pass through the Earth and have a semi-major axis that is larger than the Earth’s major axis. These asteroids are named after the giant 1862 Apollo asteroid, which was discovered by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth in the 1930s.

Also read: NASA shares stunning image of black hole

Asteroid 2024 FG3

The second asteroid was named 2024 FG3. NASA said it is in orbit moving toward Earth at a speed of 54,371 kilometers per hour. NASA expects the space rock to fly by about 3.1 million kilometers from Earth.

In terms of size, Asteroid 2024 FG3 is almost 100 feet wide, which means it is also as big as an airplane. This asteroid also belongs to the Apollo asteroid group.

Asteroid 2024 FN3

The last asteroid to pass by the Earth today was named asteroid 2024 FN3 by NASA CNEOS. During its close approach to Earth, it will be closest to Earth by 6.7 million kilometers and already orbiting the Sun at a speed of 25,787 kilometers per hour. The asteroid is also 100 feet wide, the same size as an airplane.

Also read: 10 stunning images of Earth taken from the International Space Station

Asteroid 2024 FN3 is the largest of them, nearly 52 feet wide. It also belongs to the Apollo asteroid group.

While all three asteroids are expected to narrowly pass by Earth and are known as near-Earth asteroids (NEAs), they are unlikely to hit the Earth’s surface and cause any damage.

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