Categories: Science & Environment

The asteroid the size of the giraffe passes the earth closer than a satellite – and the astronomers only caught it a few hours after

The quasi-earth asteroid in 2025 TF (Red Crosshairs) approached the international space station on Wednesday, October 1, elected detection until a few hours later. (Image credit: ESA / Las Cumbre observatory)

A little asteroid After the land closer than most satellites last week – and astronomers only noticed it until a few hours later.

Measuring about 3.3 to 9.8 feet wide (1 to 3 meters), the asteroid posed no serious threat to the earth, added ESA, and would probably have burned like a shiny ball if it had reached the atmosphere of the earth. However, even small asteroids can cause big problems with spaceships – And it was roughly rotating at the same altitude where the international space station generally orbit. Fortunately, no spacecraft was on the way to Space Rock.

Spatial agencies like NASA and ESA follow thousands of known and carefully terrestrial objects, carefully monitoring those who have the greatest risk of collision with the earth. (Currently, no known object is a significant threat to our planet for at least 100 years). For an asteroid to be considered “potentially dangerous“It must measure at least 460 feet (140 m) in diameter, and follow an orbit which was located less than 4.65 million miles (7.48 million km) of earth – or about 20 times the average distance between the earth and the moon. The asteroid 2025 TF is far from this size threshold, which can also explain why it has escaped detection until it has passed.

Astronomers of the ESA planetary defense office observed the asteroid shortly after its discovery, ESA officials reported. NASA, which interrupted all public communications when the US government is closed, has made no announcements on the asteroid – however, a Entrance for asteroid Was updated on the website studies of objects close to NASA. The tiny space rock should not fly again on our planet before April 2087, according to NASA.

The earth may have dodged a “fireball” with this almost mancasy asteroid meeting, but Skywatchers can expect more ardent lights this week. THE Draconid Meteor Wednesday on Wednesday (October 8) – and while the display of shooting stars will be somewhat attenuated by the light of full harvest moonThe appearance of shiny fireball meteors is possible. No asteroid plays a role in this annual sky show; Draconids come from icy debris left by the comet 21p / Giacobini-Zinner, which will flame through the inner solar system every 6.5 years.

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Ethan Davis

Ethan Davis – Science & Environment Journalist Reports on climate change, renewable energy, and space exploration

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