Two Asteroids in a Day: Earth’s Close Call Sparks Relief

Today, two asteroids, 2024 RO11 and 2020 GE, will make a close approach to Earth. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has confirmed that both will safely pass without posing any danger to our planet.

Asteroid 2024 RO11, the larger of the two, is about 120 feet in diameter. It will pass Earth at a distance of 4.58 million miles. Though this distance seems vast, it is considered relatively close in astronomical terms.

Asteroid 2020 GE, measuring 26 feet in diameter, will pass even closer at a distance of 410,000 miles. This distance is just beyond the Moon’s orbit, making it a particularly close approach in the context of space.

NASA has closely tracked both asteroids and assured that there is no threat of impact. These flybys, while not visible to the naked eye, offer a reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of our solar system.

Despite the relatively close passes, neither asteroid poses any risk to Earth. NASA’s continuous monitoring system is designed to detect and track near-Earth objects, providing early warnings if an object were on a collision course. Fortunately, this is not the case for today’s encounters.

Asteroids pass Earth regularly, but these two stand out due to their proximity. While they will not impact our planet, their flybys continue to contribute valuable data to ongoing research on near-Earth objects.

Though we won’t witness these events without powerful telescopes, the approach of 2024 RO11 and 2020 GE serves as a reminder of our place in the universe. NASA’s vigilant watch ensures that Earth remains protected from potential cosmic threats.