Asteroid 2020 XR: 1,200ft space rock skims past Earth after 47 years

An asteroid named 2020 XR, measuring about 1,200 feet—roughly the size of a football stadium—made a close approach to Earth in the early hours of December 4. At 12:27 am ET (10:57 am IST), this "potentially hazardous" asteroid passed within 2.2 million kilometers of our planet, traveling at a speed of 44,300 kilometers per hour. This encounter marked the closest approach 2020 XR has made to Earth since it was first observed.

The event came just a day after another asteroid entered Earth's atmosphere over Siberia. Despite the close encounter, astronomers reassured the public that 2020 XR posed no threat to Earth. Its massive size, however, is noteworthy—if it were to impact, it could devastate a small city.

For those interested in observing the asteroid, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced that the Virtual Telescope Project (VTP) would provide a live stream of the event.

Astronomers have meticulously tracked the trajectory of 2020 XR, ensuring that while it came eerily close, it remains a safe distance away from Earth.