Get ready for a celestial event this weekend as asteroid 2024 MK makes a close approach to Earth. Discovered just two weeks ago by a dedicated observatory in South Africa, this space rock measures between 120 and 260 meters in diameter.
On Saturday morning, 2024 MK will come within three-quarters of the distance to the moon, ensuring it poses no danger to our planet. Davide Farnocchia, an asteroid expert at NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, explains that smaller asteroids like 2024 MK pass near Earth frequently, with similar-sized ones making close approaches approximately every 25 years.
Recently, a much larger asteroid measuring 2,310 meters safely passed Earth. Although it was farther away and could only be seen with professional telescopes, observers with the right equipment might catch a glimpse of 2024 MK during its near-Earth encounter.
For those in the U.S., viewing 2024 MK on Saturday night might offer a better chance of spotting the asteroid, as it will be less luminous but more visible without the sun's glare interfering.
If you miss this event, mark your calendars for April 13, 2029, when another asteroid named Apophis is expected to pass close to Earth. During its approach, Apophis is anticipated to be visible to the naked eye from parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
