Current:Home > FinanceThis Valentine's Day, love is in the air and a skyscraper-sized asteroid is whizzing past Earth -GrowthSphere Strategies
This Valentine's Day, love is in the air and a skyscraper-sized asteroid is whizzing past Earth
View
Date:2025-04-16 21:50:38
It's Valentine's Day, meaning love is in the atmosphere and a giant space rock is expected to pass by just outside of it. Well, maybe not that close, but still pretty close – 4.6 million kilometers or roughly 2.86 million miles – to be more precise.
The asteroid, named 2024 BR4 by NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), is loosely estimated to measure between 140 and 300 meters, or 459 and 984 feet in diameter, which is taller than most skyscrapers. Due to its size, it has been deemed "potentially hazardous" by NASA.
Here's what to know about the celestial event.
We're not the only ones with an eclipse:Mars rover captures moon whizzing by sun's outline
When will asteroid 2024 BR4 pass by Earth?
Asteroid 2024 BR4 will pass by Earth on Feb. 14, 2024, around 11:00 UTC.
What is asteroid 2024 BR4?
See a video:NASA tracked a stadium-size asteroid that passed by Earth but was not a threat
The asteroid was first observed during the automatic Catalina Sky Survey in January and was soon after determined to be about 12 million kilometers, or 7.5 million miles, from Earth. It has since approached Earth steadily but is not expected to pass any closer than 4.6 million kilometers, which is still relatively close: a little less than twelve times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
2024 BR4 is believed to be part of a group of asteroids called Apollo, which has an orbit that sometimes overlaps with Earth's. Despite the group's closeness to our planet, scientists don't anticipate any significant impact threat for a few centuries.
Should we be worried about the asteroid?
While the object is traveling through space at about 9.86 kilometers per second, NASA has assured there is no threat of collision. With a tracking system that has recorded 33,000 near-Earth objects, the organization keeps close tabs on all observable space bodies that get a little too close.
This Valentine's Day is the closest this specific space object will get to Earth for the next 120 years, meaning we can rest assured that this asteroid, at least, isn't out to get us anytime soon.
veryGood! (18414)
Related
- Bodycam footage shows high
- Adam Sandler's Daughters Sunny and Sadie Are All Grown Up During Family Night Out
- Halle Bailey and Halle Berry meet up in sweet photo: 'When two Halles link up'
- Powerball winning numbers for Feb. 26, 2024 drawing: Jackpot rises to over $400 million
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Former NYU finance director pleads guilty to $3 million fraud scheme
- FTC sues to block Kroger-Albertsons merger, saying it could push grocery prices higher
- By defining sex, some states are denying transgender people of legal recognition
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- Police arrest three suspects in killing of man on Bronx subway car
Ranking
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Notable numbers capture the wild weather hitting much of the US this week
- Why USC quarterback Caleb Williams isn't throwing at NFL scouting combine this week
- Consumer confidence slips in February as anxiety over potential recession surprisingly reappears
- Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
- These Cincinnati Reds aren't holding back: 'We're going to win the division'
- Evers again asks Wisconsin Republicans to release $125M to combat forever chemicals pollution
- Starbucks and Workers United, long at odds, say they’ll restart labor talks
Recommendation
Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
The Daily Money: Let them eat cereal?
New Orleans hat seller honored by France for service in WWII
Georgia will spend $392 million to overhaul its gold-domed capitol and build new legislative offices
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
Lara Love Hardin’s memoir ‘The Many Lives of Mama Love’ is Oprah Winfrey’s new book club pick
Twins acquire outfielder Manuel Margot in 3-player trade with Dodgers, who add Kiké Hernández
Reigning WNBA MVP Breanna Stewart re-signs with New York Liberty