Building-Sized Asteroid To Fly Past Earth On Thursday

KEY POINTS

NASA detected an asteroid that's currently approaching Earth
The approaching asteroid is almost as big as the Statue of Liberty
2020 LG is big enough to cause a powerful mid-air explosion

NASA’s asteroid tracking system is currently monitoring a massive asteroid that’s expected to fly past Earth on Thursday (June 18). According to the data gathered by the agency, the approaching asteroid is about as big as a building.

The incoming asteroid was detected by NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). Known as 2020 LG, this space rock measures about 279 feet wide, making it almost as big as the Statue of Liberty.

According to CNEOS, this massive asteroid is currently traveling across space towards Earth at an average velocity of almost 24,000 miles per hour.

2020 LG was first observed on May 30 of this year. After studying its trajectory, NASA learned that the asteroid follows an elongated orbit around the Sun that extends beyond the path of Mars.

From time to time, the asteroid intersects Earth’s orbit as it completes its journey around the Sun. Due to its Earth-crossing natural orbit, 2020 LG was classified as a member of the Apollo family of asteroids.

Given the size and current speed of the asteroid, there’s a chance that 2020 LG might not cause an impact event on Earth if it ends up colliding with the planet. Instead of hitting the ground, the asteroid will probably explode mid-air.

However, if 2020 LG triggers an airburst, it might do so at an altitude that’s less than a kilometer from the ground. From this height, the energy from the asteroid’s blast would be powerful enough to destroy everything in its immediate surroundings.

Fortunately, CNEOS noted that 2020 LG is not in danger of colliding with Earth or causing a powerful airburst during its upcoming visit. As noted by the agency, the asteroid is expected to approach Earth at 4:49 p.m. EDT. During this time, the asteroid will fly past Earth from a distance of 0.02272 astronomical units or roughly 2.1 million miles away.

2020 LG’s next near-Earth approach is expected to take place on Nov. 5 later this year. According to NASA, the asteroid will approach Earth from a much farther distance during its future flyby. As noted by the agency, the asteroid will be about 0.40705 astronomical units or 38 million miles from the planet’s surface.