NASA Asteroid Tracker: Massive 525-Foot NEO Approaching, Flying By Earth Monday

KEY POINTS

NASA detected a massive asteroid approaching Earth
The asteroid follows an Earth-intersecting orbit
A second asteroid is expected to fly past Earth on Monday

NASA’s automated asteroid tracking system has detected a massive asteroid that’s expected to approach Earth on Monday (June 8). According to the data collected by the agency, the approaching asteroid is about as big as a stadium.

The incoming asteroid is currently being monitored by NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). As noted by CNEOS, the approaching asteroid is known as 2013 XA22.

This space rock measures about 525 feet wide, making it significantly bigger than the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. According to CNEOS, 2013 XA22 is currently flying across space and moving towards Earth at a speed of almost 15,000 miles per hour.

2013 XA22 was first observed on Dec. 13, 2013. According to NASA’s orbit diagram, the asteroid follows a very wide orbit around the Sun. Occasionally, it intersects the path of Earth as it completes its cycle around the massive star. It has been classified as an Apollo asteroid due to its natural Earth-crossing orbit.

Given its size and Earth-intersecting trajectory, 2013 XA22 could cause a major impact event on Earth if it ends up colliding with the planet. Due to its massive size, the blast from its impact could instantly wipe out a large area as big as a city.

Fortunately, CNEOS noted that 2013 XA22 is not in danger of hitting Earth during its upcoming visit. As noted by the agency, the asteroid will safely fly past Earth on June 8 at 10:40 a.m. EDT from a distance of 0.01958 astronomical units from the planet’s center, which is equivalent to 1.8 million miles away.

2013 XA22 is not the only asteroid that will visit Earth’s vicinity on Monday. According to CNEOS, an asteroid known as 2020 KZ3 will fly past the planet a couple of hours after 2013 XA22’s visit.

Compared to 2013 XA22, 2020 KZ3 is significantly smaller, measuring only 112 feet wide. It is expected to approach Earth at a speed of over 13,000 miles per hour.

2020 KZ3 will zip past the planet on June 8 at 4:58 p.m. EDT. During this time, the asteroid will be about 0.00818 astronomical units or 760,000 miles from Earth.