Asteroid is more likely to hit the earth than people realize (Image via: Panorama.com.ve)

Big Asteroid 2000 QW7 to Pass the Earth Next Month

Kirana Chandra Mumpuni Budiana
Business & Industry
Sci-Tech
Aug 23, 2019
15059
A giant asteroid measured between 951 and 2,132 feet (290 and 650 meters) in diameter is approaching earth, as announced by NASA. The size is nearly as high as the tallest building on earth, Burj Khalifa, which is 2,716-foot-tall (828 m). It is travelling at high speed of 14,361 mph. According to the Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), the asteroid named 2000 QW7 is expected to pass by earth on September 14. Asteroid 2000 QW7 is expected not to fly by again near the earth until October 19, 2038.

This asteroid is estimated to pass three million miles from earth. The distance looks far, but with such speed and size, it is considered scary if the asteroid hit the earth instead of passing it. So NASA still take asteroid 2000QW7 as an object with potential danger to the earth. Previously NASA had warned that an asteroid collision with earth is more likely to happen than people realize. As a part of precaution, NASA is developing the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART). DART will try to knock Didymoon, one of the Didymos asteroids. After they smash into each other, European Space Agency’s (ESA) Hera will map the impact crater and calculate the weight. The test will determine if asteroids re-direction is possible. A qualified astrophysicist and guitarist of Queen, Brian May was chosen to present an ESA video explaining the project. He said that the step is crucial to save the earth.

Source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1169165/Asteroid-news-Burj-Khalifa-impact-collision-September-death-destruction-2000-QW7

Asteroid , earth , NASA , ESA