NASA: Biggest Asteroid To Approach Earth This Year Flying By On Wednesday

NASA has detected the biggest asteroid to approach Earth this year. Aside from the massive asteroid, the space agency noted that three other near-Earth objects would fly past the planet on Wednesday (April 29).

According to NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), the massive asteroid that’s currently approaching Earth is known as 1998 OR2. As indicated in the agency’s database, this space rock is currently moving towards Earth at a speed of over 19,000 miles per hour.

CNEOS estimated that 1998 OR2 measures about 2.5 miles wide. Given its massive size and current speed, the approaching asteroid could destroy the planet and trigger major extinction events across various species if it collides with the planet. Fortunately, CNEOS noted that 1998 OR2 would fly past Earth from a very safe distance. According to the agency, 1998 OR2 will approach Earth on April 29 at 4:56 a.m. EDT from about 0.04205 astronomical units away, which is equivalent to about 3.9 million miles.

Aside from 1998 OR2, Earth will also be visited by other asteroids on Wednesday. After 1998 OR2’s approach, an asteroid known as 2020 HK6 will fly past Earth. According to CNEOS, this 62-foot wide asteroid will zip past Earth at a speed of over 33,000 miles per hour.

2020 HK6 will visit Earth’s vicinity on April 29 at 6:57 a.m. EDT. It will be about 0.00802 astronomical units or roughly 746,000 miles from the planet’s center.

The next asteroid that will fly past Earth is called 2020 HW2. According to CNEOS, this asteroid has an estimated diameter of about 207 feet. It is currently moving across the Solar System and approaching Earth at a speed of about 22,000 miles per hour.

CNEOS noted that 2020 HW2 will fly past Earth on April 29 at 7:23 a.m. EDT. During its approach, the asteroid will be about 0.04599 astronomical units or roughly 4.3 million miles from the planet’s center.

Trailing behind 2020 HW2 is an asteroid known as 2020 HO3. According to CNEOS, this asteroid has an estimated diameter of about 115 feet. It is flying across space at an average velocity of almost 21,000 miles per hour.

2020 HO3 will fly past Earth on April 29 at 9:07 p.m. EDT from 0.04475 astronomical units or around 4.2 million miles away.