NASA Asteroid Tracker: 2 Giant NEOs To Zip Past Earth This Week

NASA has spotted two massive asteroids that will closely approach Earth this week. According to the agency’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), one of the asteroids is a frequent visitor to Earth’s vicinity.

The first asteroid that will fly past Earth this week is 2019 NF1. CNEOS noted that the asteroid is currently traveling at a speed of 23,264 miles per hour. The agency estimated that it has a diameter of 315 feet, making it significantly taller than the Statue of Liberty.

The asteroid is expected to approach Earth on July 17 at 5:09 a.m. ST. During its approach, 2019 NF1 will be about 0.04940 astronomical units or roughly 4.6 million miles away from the planet’s center.

First observed on July 2, CNEOS noted that 2019 NF1 has been visiting Earth’s neighborhood since 1915. The last time it approached the planet was in January. Before that, the asteroid zip past Earth twice in 2018. The close approaches happened in March and June of last year.

Aside from Earth, 2019 NF1 is also known to orbit Venus.

The second asteroid that will fly near Earth this week is 2019 NJ2. This asteroid is currently traveling at a speed of 30,000 miles per hour. With an estimated diameter of around 207 feet, 2019 NJ2 is significantly taller than the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy.

According to CNEOS, the asteroid will reach its closes distance to Earth on July 19 at 7:53 p.m. ST. The agency predicted that the asteroid will be about 0.03421 astronomical units or roughly 3.1 million miles away from the planet’s center during its approach.

2019 NJ2 was first observed on June 29. Unlike 2019 NF1, not much is known regarding the trajectory of 2019 NJ2. According to CNEOS’ data, the asteroid’s first recorded close approach happened in 1952 when the space rock flew near Venus.

The asteroid is expected to return to Earth’s neighborhood on July 7, 2119. During this time, 2019 NJ2 will be flying at a much farther distance from Earth compared to its upcoming approach. CNEOS estimated that it will be about 0.25594 astronomical units or around 23.8 million miles away from Earth during its future visit in 2119.