'City killer' asteroid to pass harmlessly between Earth, moon's orbit

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Mar 10:25

Scientists estimate that the size of the asteroid is somewhere between 40 and 90 meters in diameter.

An asteroid estimated to be 40-90 meters in diameter will pass between Earth and the moon on Saturday, US time. (NASA/AFP)

An asteroid big enough to wipe out an entire city will pass harmlessly between Earth and the moon's orbit this weekend. It will hit neither as it provides scientists a chance to examine the object up close.

It is common for asteroids to fly by Earth. However, NASA said it was rare for an asteroid this big to come so close highlighting that an event like this happens once in a decade.

Scientists estimate that the size of the asteroid is somewhere between 40 and 90 meters in diameter.

The asteroid discovered a month ago is known as 2023 DZ2. It will pass within 515,000 km of the moon on Saturday, US time. Several hours later, it will fly past Earth at about 28,000 km/hr.

Astronomers will get the chance to study the space rock from just over 68,000 km away during the close encounter. The asteroid will be visible through binoculars and small telescopes when it is at less than half the distance between here and the moon.

“There is no chance of this ‘city killer’ striking Earth, but its close approach offers a great opportunity for observations,” the European Space Agency’s planetary defense chief, Richard Moissl, said in a statement.

Astronomers with the International Asteroid Warning Network view the situation as good practice for planetary defense if a dangerous asteroid ever could hit Earth, reported NASA.

A live webcast of the close approach will be provided by the Virtual Telescope Project.

That specific asteroid will not be back in our way again until 2026. There was a slight chance that once it returns, it could hit Earth. However, scientists have ruled that out.