NASA Warns 5 Asteroids To Approach Earth Tomorrow

KEY POINTS

Five asteroids are currently approaching Earth
The asteroids were detected by NASA's tracking system
All five asteroids will approach the planet tomorrow

NASA’s automated asteroid tracking system has detected a cluster of five space rocks that are currently headed for Earth. Based on the data collected by the agency, all five asteroids will enter Earth’s vicinity tomorrow.

According to NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), the first asteroid that will approach the planet is called 2020 BP1. This asteroid is moving towards Earth at speeds of almost 12,000 miles per hour. It has an estimated diameter of 72 feet.

2020 BP1 is expected to approach Earth on Jan. 21 at 2:59 a.m. EST. During this time, it will be about 0.03583 astronomical units or roughly 3.3 million miles from the planet’s center.

The second asteroid that will arrive tomorrow has been identified as 2020 BP. According to CNEOS, this asteroid measures about 154 feet wide. It is traveling at an average speed of 37,000 miles per hour. 2020 BP will fly past Earth tomorrow at 12:14 p.m. EST from a distance of about 0.00944 astronomical units or around 878,000 miles away.

Trailing behind 2020 BP is an asteroid known as 2020 BB. This asteroid is flying across space at speeds of over 8,000 miles per hour. CNEOS estimated that it is about 36 feet wide. This asteroid will visit Earth’s neighborhood on Jan. 21 at 12:49 p.m. EST. It will be about 0.00513 astronomical units or roughly 477,000 miles from the planet’s center during its approach.

2020 BP’s visit will be followed by the arrival of asteroid 2020 BY. According to CNEOS, this asteroid is about 263 feet wide and moves at speeds of almost 37,500 miles per hour. It will zip past the planet tomorrow at 4:57 p.m. EST from a distance of 0.00981 astronomical units or about 912,000 miles away.

The last asteroid that will visit Earth tomorrow has been identified as 2020 BN. This asteroid is about 52 feet wide and is currently moving towards Earth at speeds of about 13,500 miles per hour. According to CNEOS, 2020 BN will approach the planet on Jan. 21 at 6:52 p.m. EST. During this time, it will be about 0.02511 astronomical units or about 2.3 million miles from the planet.