NASA reveals two asteroids about to fly by Earth; everything to know, from size to speed

We’ve seen asteroids pass by Earth multiple times over the past few weeks. According to NASA, although these space rocks revolve around the sun in their own orbits, interactions with the planet’s gravitational field can deflect them from their orbit, bringing them closer to Earth. These encounters can knock asteroids out of the main belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter and send them tumbling in all directions through the orbits of other planets. NASA now says it has discovered as many as two asteroids heading toward Earth in their orbits and is expected to pass by Earth tomorrow (March 27).

Also read: Five asteroids may pass by Earth in the next few days

Asteroid 2024 EA3: Details

NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) named the first asteroid to fly by Earth as 2024 EA3. It is estimated to be only 3.1 million kilometers away from Earth. The space agency said it was in orbit at a speed of 38,754 kilometers per hour.

In terms of size, it’s nearly 150 feet wide, almost as big as an airplane! 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: International Astronomical Union names asteroid after Indian professor

Asteroid 2024 EO4: Details

The second asteroid expected to pass Earth tomorrow has been named 2024 EO4. Its distance will be nearly 5.1 million kilometers and it is already orbiting at an astonishing speed of 53,811 kilometers per hour.

In terms of size, 2024 EO4 is smaller than 2024 EA3, but is still as large as an airplane, with a width of 120 feet. According to the space agency, it also belongs to the Apollo asteroid group.

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