NASA Tracker: Biggest Asteroid To Approach Earth In June Arriving On Friday

NASA is currently monitoring a massive skyscraper-sized potentially hazardous asteroid that’s expected to fly past Earth on Friday (June 5). Based on the data gathered by the agency, the asteroid is the largest space rock to approach Earth this month.

The incoming asteroid is currently being tracked by NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). As indicated in CNEOS’ database, the approaching asteroid is known as 2002 NN4.

This asteroid has an estimated diameter of 1,870 feet, making it bigger than some of the world’s most well-known skyscrapers such as the Taipei 101, the Petronas Twin Towers, and the Sears Tower.

According to CNEOS, 2002 NN4 is currently moving toward Earth at a speed of almost 25,000 miles per hour.

2002 NN4 was first observed on July 2, 2002. According to observations on the asteroid’s trajectory, it follows an orbit that directly crosses Earth’s path as it moves around the Sun. Due to its trajectory and Earth-crossing orbit, it has been classified as an Aten asteroid.

Given 2002 NN4’s massive size, the asteroid is capable of causing a major impact event on Earth if it ends up colliding with the planet. Because of this, it has been labeled as a potentially hazardous asteroid.

“Potentially hazardous asteroids are currently defined based on parameters that measure the asteroid’s potential to make threatening close approaches to the Earth,” NASA explained. “Specifically, all asteroids with a minimum orbit intersection distance of 0.05 [astronomical units] or less and an absolute magnitude of 22.0 or less are considered [potentially hazardous asteroids].”

Fortunately, 2002 NN4 is not in danger of hitting Earth during its upcoming visit. According to CNEOS, the asteroid will approach Earth at 10:20 p.m. EDT from a safe distance. During its approach, the asteroid will be about 0.03405 astronomical units or roughly 3.2 million miles away.

2002 NN4 will not be the only asteroid to approach Earth tomorrow. Before its visit, an asteroid known as 2020 KA6, which spans about 92 feet wide, will fly past Earth at 12:41 p.m. EDT at a speed of almost 26,000 miles per hour.

The asteroid will be about 0.02987 astronomical units or 2.8 million miles from Earth’s center during its flyby.