Today, NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office has issued a warning regarding asteroid 2013 WV44. This Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) is expected to make its closest approach to our planet on June 28. While its proximity is a cause for concern, NASA reassures that there is no risk of impact on Earth's surface. The asteroid is projected to pass by at a distance of approximately 3.4 million kilometers.
What makes this space rock noteworthy is its impressive size. With a width of nearly 300 feet, asteroid 2013 WV44 is comparable in dimension to a skyscraper. Travelling at an astounding speed of 42,512 kilometers per hour, it belongs to the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids, characterized by their Earth-crossing paths.
Also watch: NASA Warning! Apollo group Asteroid set to pass Earth today
In 2017, NASA launched the Dawn spacecraft on a mission to explore the asteroid belt. Its primary targets were Vesta, one of the largest asteroids, and the dwarf planet Ceres. Dawn orbited Vesta for over a year, providing valuable insights into this massive space rock.
Unveiling the Secrets of Our Celestial Neighbors
As scientists continue to monitor and study asteroids, such as the imminent flyby of asteroid 2013 WV44, our understanding of the cosmos deepens. NASA's ongoing efforts in planetary defense and space exploration provide valuable insights into the mysteries of our solar system, unraveling the secrets of our celestial neighbours.