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On September 27, 2024, four asteroids are set to pass by Earth, each travelling at impressive speeds. Although none of these asteroids pose a direct threat to our planet, their close flybys provide an excellent opportunity for astronomers and space scientists to gather crucial data. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is closely tracking these objects to improve our understanding of near-Earth objects (NEOs) and enhance planetary defence strategies.
Asteroid 2024 RW25
The first of the four, 2024 RW25, is approximately 82 feet in size, about the same as a commercial airplane. It will make its closest approach at 6:51 am IST on September 27, coming within 6,160,000 kilometres of Earth. This asteroid will be travelling at an impressive speed of 35,145 km/h. While it will pass safely by, monitoring its speed and trajectory provides valuable insights into these celestial objects.
Asteroid 2024 SM1
Next up is 2024 SM1, a smaller asteroid about the size of a bus, measuring 27 feet in diameter. It will come closer than RW25, passing at a distance of 3,970,000 kilometres. This asteroid will make its closest approach at 5:01 pm IST on the same day, speeding past Earth at 27,909 km/h. NASA continues to monitor such objects to refine predictions and gather data on their behaviour during flybys.
Asteroid 2024 SC1
Following shortly after, 2024 SC1, another bus-sized asteroid, measuring 36 feet, will make its approach at 11:29 pm IST. It will pass within 1,540,000 kilometres of Earth, travelling at 35,254 km/h. Despite the proximity, there’s no cause for concern. This flyby will allow scientists to study the asteroid’s orbit and composition.
Asteroid 2024 SG1
The final asteroid, 2024 SG1, is 34 feet in diameter and will be the closest of the four, flying by at just 893,000 kilometres from Earth at 10:54 pm IST. It will travel at an impressive speed of 61,284 km/h. While still a safe distance, its high speed makes this flyby a significant event for astronomers to observe.
The Importance of Monitoring Asteroids
Though none of these asteroids are classified as potentially hazardous, continuous tracking is vital for the early detection of future threats. Observing close approaches like these helps scientists refine models of asteroid trajectories, ultimately improving our planetary defence measures.