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NASA Tracking 130ft Plane-Sized Asteroid Approaching Earth Tomorrow
Newsweek • • science
Key Points:
- NASA is tracking asteroid 2003 LN6, approximately 98 to 223 feet wide, which will pass Earth on June 18 at 8,768 mph, coming within 880,000 miles.
- The asteroid is currently in the constellation Lyra, about 1.48 million kilometers from Earth, and will reach its closest approach early Thursday.
- Experts emphasize that such close asteroid flybys are common and pose no significant risk; small asteroids impact Earth roughly every 10 years, usually causing minor effects.
- NASA monitors near-Earth objects closely and has demonstrated asteroid deflection capabilities with the 2022 DART mission, aiming to enhance detection and planetary defense with the upcoming NEO Surveyor observatory.
- Astronomers worldwide collaborate to accurately predict asteroid trajectories, helping to ensure early warnings and risk assessments.
