A photo from open sources
An asteroid nearly three kilometers in diameter rushes toward Earth. Another doomsday?
On the night of June 1, a giant rock will fly past our planet called 1998 QE2. An asteroid is 9 times the size of one of the largest ocean liners – Queen Elizabeth 2. Although to the name of the vessel has nothing to do. This is just code that used for newly discovered asteroids at the Center for Small planets in Cambridge, Massachusetts. And the year 1998 indicates the time his discovery.
Space guest approached on time experts NASA Space Agency. They calculated how far a pebble will whistle above our heads. And breathed a sigh of relief: 1998 QE2 is not dangerous for earthlings. The asteroid’s flight path will be be at a distance of about six million kilometers from ours the planet. This is 15 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
Photos from open sources of
Scheme of approaching an asteroid with the Earth. Photo: NASA.
– We are sure that everything will work out, but just in case we decided prepare for the appearance of an asteroid, – the leader admits NASA Specialist Dr. Lance Benner.
Scientists are preparing to probe an asteroid using a huge telescope located at the Goldstone Desert Observatory Mojave (California). The goal is to get information about its form, chemical composition, and most importantly – orbit. This data may help. determine the origin of the guest from outer space and predict possible movement of the whopper in the future, after 200 years, when 1998 QE2 will return to us again.
Recall that two experts raise serious concerns other asteroid. This is Apophis, which will be held in 2029 close enough – 36 thousand kilometers. And the asteroid 1999 RQ36K, which will come nearer to our planet in 2182. According to Dr. Benner, they pose a potential threat.
Svetlana Kuzina
NASA
