A gigantic asteroid, 535844 (2015 BY310), is already racing through space at a record speed and will pass close to Earth in a perilous manner. NASA has warned of this space rock that is approximately 460 foot in diameter. The asteroid, hurtling at record speed, will pass closest to our planet on March 5, 2025. Even though it won’t be crashing into Earth, the close encounter of the asteroid passing near Earth has seen NASA keep a keen eye on its path, given the enormous size and velocity of the asteroid would be disastrous were its path altered in the future.
Asteroid 535844 (2015 BY310) to pass close to Earth today
NASA is monitoring asteroid 535844 (2015 BY310) because it will have a near flyby of Earth. The asteroid is also a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA) because it is big and has a threatening orbit in the future. The asteroid will also have a close flyby of Earth at some 2,280,000 miles (around 3.7 million kilometres), according to NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS).
A theoretical danger is posed by Asteroid 535844 (2015 BY310), a Near Earth Object (NEO) whose trajectory passes within 30 million miles of the Earth’s path. NASA is keeping an eye on this near Earth, and it can be seen on March 5, 2025, at 4:28 PM IST.
Asteroid’s size and speed
Asteroid 535844 is an Apollo asteroid, distinguished by having crossing orbits with the orbit of Earth. It is also a Near-Earth Object (NEO), that is, it frequently approaches our planet.
At its closest approach, the asteroid is traveling at a whopping 17,583 miles per hour (28,300 kilometers per hour). This speed adds to kinetic energy, as the asteroid could be phenomenally destructive if it ever were to hit the planet. Even though no collision is expected this time, the sheer force behind it is one of the primary reasons NASA keeps such objects under close observation.
NASA’s advanced systems and technology to track and monitor asteroids
NASA has taken serious investment in sophisticated systems and technology to track and monitor asteroids like 535844. It utilizes an assortment of tools and projects to get in front of space threats, including:
NASA employs Pan-STARRS (Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System) and the Catalina Sky Survey to survey the skies for objects that can possibly fly close to the Earth. Both systems monitor the sky around the clock for asteroids, providing helpful early warnings about their paths.
NASA also uses planetary radar missions to observe asteroids up close. NASA’s upcoming launch, the NEO Surveyor telescope, will be the first space telescope to be purpose-built for finding threatening asteroids and comets. This will help us more accurately detect them and chart their orbits.
Apart from tracking asteroids, NASA also studies objects’ impact angles to have some idea of how they might impact Earth. That data is crucial when deciding whether or not an asteroid might be headed towards the planet.
NASA continuous surveillance of asteroid 535844 ensures Earth’s future safety
Although asteroid 535844 (2015 BY310) is passing by without incident this time, NASA does not take any risks. The surveillance conducted by the agency on a regular basis assists in gathering crucial information regarding the paths of potential asteroid threats. The regular monitoring not only keeps us ready for possible encounters in the future but also assists in more effective planning of methods to eliminate asteroids hitting Earth and keeps our planet secure in the long run.
Briefly, while asteroid 535844 is not an imminent danger, the rapid movement of its trajectory and closeness to our world make it a prime candidate for observation. NASA’s advanced detection mechanisms and keen observation will keep us informed about the path of such celestial bodies, protecting the world from potential harm in the future.
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