NASA Asteroid Tracker: 5 Asteroids To Approach Earth This Weekend

asteroids_passing_earth — Pictured; an artistic illustration of an asteroid flying by Earth. NASA

NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) is currently monitoring five asteroids that are expected to zip past Earth this weekend. One of these almost came close to colliding with Earth eight years ago.

The first three asteroids that will approach Earth’s vicinity are 2019 LL1, 2013 YA14 and 2019 KJ. These three near-Earth objects are expected to fly by the planet on the afternoon of June 14. The biggest asteroids from the group are 2013 YA14 and 2019 KJ. With a diameter of 361 feet, these asteroids are almost as tall as the Great Pyramid of Giza.

The other two asteroids will approach Earth on June 16. The first that will arrive is called 2019 LU. This asteroid has a diameter of around 194 feet and is currently moving at a speed of almost 18,000 miles per hour. Once it makes its approach, the space rock will be about 0.01062 astronomical units or 987,000 miles from Earth.

2019 LU is expected to arrive at 11:48 am ST. According to CNEOS’ database, this asteroid almost came close to crashing on Earth in June of 2011. During this time, it approached the planet by only 0.00444 astronomical units or around 413,000 miles, which is about twice the distance between the Earth and the Moon.

The asteroid is not expected to return to Earth’s vicinity until May 10, 2027. By this time, 2019 LU is expected to fly at a much farther distance from the planet at 0.34091 astronomical units or about 32 million miles.

The second asteroid that will visit Earth’s neighborhood on June 16 is 2019 LR. First discovered in May 30, this asteroid is about 187 feet long. It is currently traveling at a speed of 34,000 miles per hour.

2019 LR is expected to approach the planet at 2:29 pm ST. Once it passes by Earth, it will be about 0.04687 astronomical units or 4.4 million miles away. According to the data collected by the CNEOS, this asteroid will return to Earth’s vicinity in 2086. It is expected to be within 0.04205 astronomical units or 3.9 million miles from the Earth’s surface.

NASA Asteroid Earth Space