A space rock the size of a skyscraper that scientists deemed potentially hazardous sailed harmlessly past Earth today. Time.
Even though the asteroid only flew close to Earth, it was still 30 times the distance between the moon and our planet.
Live Science previously reported that the asteroid is an Apollo-class asteroid, which means it crosses the path of Earth's moon. Astronomers know of about 15,000 asteroids.
In August 2020, the rock came within 10.8 million miles of Earth at a speed of around 29,800 mph.
The asteroid's size and relatively close proximity to Earth make it potentially hazardous. Projections of the asteroid's path over the next several decades show that it won't come any closer than this. According to SpaceReference.org, the next closest approach is expected to take place on April 2, 2037, when the asteroid will reach a minimum distance to Earth.
NASA and other space agencies watch these objects closely. The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) was launched by NASA in November of 2021. Live Science previously reported that the collision will not destroy the asteroid, but it may change the rock's path slightly. Should a future asteroid pose an imminent threat to our planet, the mission will help test the viability of asteroid deflection.
It was originally published on Live Science.
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