Today, NASA has raised an alert about an asteroid that is set to fly by Earth at a closer distance than the Moon. The asteroid, known as 2020 SW, is estimated to be between 6 and 13 feet in diameter and is expected to pass by Earth at a distance of 6,400 miles.
This is the closest an asteroid has come to Earth since the asteroid 2018 CB, which passed by at a distance of 39,000 miles in February 2018. While this is still a safe distance, it is much closer than the Moon, which is 238,855 miles away from Earth.
The asteroid is expected to pass by Earth at a speed of about 12 miles per second. It is not expected to cause any damage to Earth, but it is still a cause for concern. NASA is monitoring the asteroid closely and has asked the public to report any sightings of it.
NASA has also warned that the asteroid could be a potential hazard in the future. It is possible that the asteroid could be pulled into Earth’s orbit by the planet’s gravity, which could cause it to collide with Earth.
NASA is currently working on ways to deflect asteroids that could potentially hit Earth. One of the methods being studied is the use of a spacecraft to push the asteroid away from Earth.
While the asteroid 2020 SW is not expected to cause any damage, it is still a reminder of the potential danger that asteroids pose to Earth. It is important for us to remain vigilant and to continue to monitor the skies for any potential threats.