NASA Detects Near-Collisions From 4 Asteroids On Christmas Eve

NASA’s asteroid tracking system has detected four near-Earth objects that are currently headed for Earth. According to the agency’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), these four asteroids will debut in Earth’s vicinity on Christmas Eve.

The first asteroid that will approach Earth tomorrow is called 2019 YO. As indicated in CNEOS’ database, this asteroid is almost a hundred feet wide and is currently flying towards the planet at a speed of over 8,000 miles per hour.

Closely following 2019 YO is an asteroid known as 2019 YE1. CNEOS estimated that this asteroid has a diameter of about 177 feet. The agency noted that this asteroid is currently flying across space at a velocity of almost 14,000 miles per hour.

The third asteroid that will visit Earth the day before Christmas is called 2019 YX1. This asteroid is currently approaching Earth at speeds of up to 19,000 miles per hour. It has an estimated diameter of almost 260 feet.

The last asteroid that will approach Earth tomorrow has been identified as 2019 YU. As the largest asteroid in the group, it has an estimated diameter of about 459 feet. CNEOS indicated that this asteroid is flying at an average speed of over 36,000 miles per hour.

All of the approaching asteroids, with the exception of 2019 YO, are classified as Apollos. This means they follow wide orbits around other planets in the Solar System. From time to time, their orbits intersect with that of Earth as the planet goes around the Sun.

2019 YO, on the other hand, is an Amor asteroid. Similar to the other asteroids that belong to this family, 2019 YO follows a path around Earth, Venus, Mercury and the Sun. Unlike the other approaching asteroids, 2019 YO does not follow an Earth-crossing path. Instead, it only flies near the planet at certain times.

According to CNEOS, 2019 YO’s upcoming near-Earth approach will take place on Dec. 24 at 5:37 am EST. During this time, the asteroid will be about 0.03979 astronomical units or roughly 3.7 million miles from the planet’s center.

As for 2019 YE1, this asteroid will fly past Earth tomorrow at 6:22 am EST from a distance of 0.03475 astronomical units or about 3.2 million miles away. Trailing behind it is asteroid 2019 YX1, which fly close to Earth at 9:21 am EST. During its approach, the asteroid will be about 0.01045 astronomical units or roughly 871,400 miles away.

Lastly, 2019 YU will approach Earth on Christmas Eve at 3:14 pm EST from a distance of 0.04994 astronomical units or around 4.6 million miles away.