NASA Detects Building-Sized Asteroid Moving Closer To Earth

KEY POINTS

NASA detected a massive asteroid approaching Earth
2020 ON is bigger than the Big Ben clock tower
The asteroid is big enough to cause an impact event

NASA’s automated asteroid tracking system is currently monitoring a massive asteroid that’s moving towards Earth. Based on the data collected by the agency, the approaching asteroid is bigger than the Statue of Liberty.

The asteroid, which has been identified as 2020 ON, is being tracked through NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). According to CNEOS, 2020 ON has an estimated diameter of 361 feet.

Given its size, 2020 ON is significantly bigger than some of the most well-known landmarks such as the Big Ben clock tower in London, which stands at 310 feet, and the 305-foot high Statue of Liberty.

CNEOS noted that 2020 ON is currently traveling across space towards Earth at a speed of almost 39,000 miles per hour.

According to NASA, 2020 ON follows an elongated orbit around the Sun. It moves beyond the orbit of Mars and occasionally flies close to Jupiter. From time to time, the asteroid intersects Earth’s path as it flies close to the Sun.

Due to 2020 ON’s Earth-crossing nature, there’s a small chance that the asteroid might collide with the planet. Given its massive size and speed, the asteroid most likely would cause an impact event on Earth instead of detonating in the atmosphere.

If 2020 ON hits the ground during an impact event, it will create a crater that’s about a mile wide. The blast that will be generated by the impact would be powerful enough to destroy everything in its surroundings. The energy from the event would generate a blast wave that’s powerful enough to affect a large area such as a city.

Fortunately, CNEOS noted that 2020 ON is not in danger of colliding with Earth anytime soon. According to the agency, the asteroid will fly past Earth from a very safe distance.

2020 ON is expected to approach Earth on Thursday at 9 a.m. EDT. During its flyby, the asteroid will zip past Earth from a distance of 0.03490 astronomical units, which is equivalent to about 3.2 million miles.

After flying past Earth, the asteroid will carry on with its journey towards Jupiter.