Asteroid 2024 OR1, the same as a commercial airplane in terms of its size, has been declared by NASA as having a trajectory that will see it pass by Earth at 13:11 UTC (6:41 p.m. IST) on August 6, 2024.
It is moving at an impressive velocity of about 30,381 km per hour, which provides an exclusive chance for scientific study and observations. Classification and safety of Apollo asteroids are classified into the near-Earth objects (NEOs) category, including the asteroid named Asteroid 2024 OR1.
Its classification notwithstanding, there is no danger to Earth because it is too small, and it will pass at a safe distance of around 3.4 million kilometers, or nine times the distance between the moon and Earth. Observation and scientific opportunities The close approach of the asteroid, titled 2024 OR1, allows astronomers to observe its behavior over time to analyze its features or even determine its pathway.
As such, observation assists us in understanding similar meteoroids, thus giving us extra knowledge about solar system dynamics and, among other things, planetary defense efforts. In this event, scientists will do so to improve their ability to track potentially dangerous asteroids. Monitoring and safety NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) tracks all known NEOs with potential impact hazards on Earth.
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This data is collected from a worldwide network of observatories, including the Pan-STARRS and Catalina Sky Survey, which NASA supports. The NEO Surveyor mission, for example, is expected to help improve the monitoring capability and detect and track small, potentially harmful asteroids. Potential Impact Risks The danger that 2024 OR1 poses does not exist, but this event emphasizes the need to always be alert when watching over near-Earth objects.
A similar-sized asteroid crashing into Earth has the potential to cause significant damage within a particular region. The detonation of a smaller asteroid in Russia’s atmosphere caused immense property destruction and injuries during the 2013 Chelyabinsk, thus necessitating preparedness and early detection.
NASA and partners run projects to assess NEO threats ahead of time. Studying asteroids such as 2024 OR1 further expands our knowledge base while at the same time serving to protect our planet from future collisions.
