A huge asteroid the size of a football stadium will pass Earth tonight at the closest approach ever recorded. The event has been under scrutiny from astronomers and enthusiasts alike, with the asteroid racing through the cosmos at a staggering speed of about 27,500 miles per hour, or 44,300 kilometers per hour. Though big and coming close, scientists assure us that it is not dangerous to Earth.
How Close Will the Asteroid Get?
Dubbed “2020 XR”, this NEO will approach within 1.37 million miles (2.2 million kilometers) of our planet at 12:27 a.m. ET on December 4. While this might seem distant, in astronomical terms, it is relatively close. NASA defines “potentially hazardous” asteroids as those larger than 500 feet (150 meters) in diameter and approaching within 4.65 million miles (7.5 million kilometers) of Earth.
The track and proximity to Earth make the asteroid’s flyby of great interest. For scale, it is about six times the distance from Earth to the Moon, making tonight’s flyby an extraordinary opportunity for space observation.
Viewing the Asteroid’s Flyby
To this end, those willing to observe the passage of the asteroid will be given the possibility by the Virtual Telescope Project starting at 1:30 p.m. ET on December 3. In ideal viewing conditions, amateur astronomers with 8-inch (20-centimeter) telescopes could see the asteroid streak across the night sky. Live coverage of such a close flyby by such a large body is, after all, quite an unprecedented experience for any regular citizens.
Events like this flyby allow astronomers to refine their predictions of the asteroid’s orbit, giving them clues as to its composition and behavior. Events like these, watched in public, will also stir up interest in space exploration and in the study of near-Earth objects.
What’s So Special About 2020 XR?
Discovered in 2020, this asteroid last came near Earth in December 1977, but it was considerably farther away-about 10 million miles (16 million kilometers) more distant than tonight’s flyby. Its orbit has been carefully tracked since its discovery, and no collision risk has been found for the foreseeable future.
While 2020 XR will make another approach in November 2028, it will stay much farther away, a minimum distance of 11.3 million miles (18.2 million kilometers). After tonight, its next closest approach will be in 2196, which, for present generations, is the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this object.
The close passage of asteroid 2020 XR serves as a reminder that one must continue to be vigilant in monitoring near-Earth objects, not only for their potential contribution to planetary defense but to keep up the curiosity and amazement of the great universe outside of our world. If you have the opportunity, don’t miss this spectacular event tonight.
