Largest Planet-Killer Asteroid To Approach Earth This Month Arriving On Saturday
It's labeled a potentially hazardous asteroid, but they say there is little chance of it hitting Earth. But there is still a chance it could hit, causing massive destruction and a potential nuclear winter lasting for years.
So, tomorrow morning at 6:05a EST, we will find out.
Could this be our last day on Earth?
A potentially hazardous asteroid that’s big enough to trigger a nuclear winter and mass extinction events on Earth following a collision will intersect the planet’s path this weekend. According to the data collected by NASA, the approaching asteroid is larger than the tallest man-made structure in the world.
- NASA spots a planet-killer asteroid approaching Earth
- The approaching space rock is a potentially hazardous asteroid
- The asteroid is big enough to cause a major impact event
NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has identified the incoming asteroid as 163373 (2002 PZ39). As indicated in CNEOS’ database, this asteroid is currently traveling toward Earth at a speed of almost 34,000 miles per hour.
It's labeled a potentially hazardous asteroid, but they say there is little chance of it hitting Earth. But there is still a chance it could hit, causing massive destruction and a potential nuclear winter lasting for years.
Since 163373 (2002 PZ39) follows an Earth-crossing orbit, it has a chance of colliding with Earth every time it passes the planet. If the asteroid collides with Earth, it will cause a major impact event.
NASA and other space agencies have warned that kilometer-sized asteroids can do a lot of damage to Earth. If 163373 (2002 PZ39) hits the planet, its initial blast would instantly kill off millions.
According to CNEOS, 163373 (2002 PZ39)’s near-Earth intersection will happen on Feb. 15 at 6:05 a.m. EST. During this time, the asteroid will pass over the planet from a distance of 0.03860 astronomical units or around 3.6 million miles away.
So, tomorrow morning at 6:05a EST, we will find out.
Could this be our last day on Earth?