NASA issues asteroid alert: 130-ft "Airplane-Sized" asteroid to pass Earth at 62,000 km/h today

NASA has issued a warning about asteroid 2024 WQ2, a 130-foot asteroid hurtling toward Earth at a speed of 62,388 km/h. This asteroid will make its closest approach today, November 27, 2024, at 1:29 PM IST.

Details of Asteroid 2024 WQ2

Classified as a Near-Earth Object (NEO), asteroid 2024 WQ2 is part of the Apollo group, which includes asteroids that orbit close to Earth's path. During today's flyby, it will pass Earth at a distance of 2,080,000 kilometers, more than five times the distance between Earth and the Moon.

Though its proximity qualifies it as a NEO, the asteroid doesn't meet the criteria to be classified as "potentially hazardous" due to its size and the distance of its closest approach. NASA continues to monitor the asteroid's trajectory for any unexpected changes.

Tracking Asteroids: NASA’s Efforts

NASA works alongside global observatories and amateur astronomers to monitor asteroid movements. The Minor Planet Center provides precise orbital data, while NASA-funded projects like Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, and NEOWISE offer critical observations. Future missions like NEO Surveyor are set to enhance our ability to detect and track even smaller space objects like 2024 WQ2.