Two large asteroids are set to safely pass by Earth this week, arriving just before Asteroid Day on June 30, according to a new report from the European Space Agency (ESA).
Although neither poses any danger to our planet, one of the asteroids was discovered only a week ago, underscoring the importance of enhancing our ability to detect potentially hazardous objects in the vicinity of our planet.
Asteroid 2024 MK
Asteroid 2024 MK, measuring between 120 and 260 meters, was discovered on June 16, 2024. It will pass by Earth on Saturday, June 29.
This sizable near-Earth object (NEO) will come within 290,000 kilometers of Earth – approximately 75% of the distance to the moon.
Despite no risk of impact, the proximity of 2024 MK emphasizes the need for improved detection techniques.
“There is no risk of 2024 MK impacting Earth. However, an asteroid this size would cause considerable damage if it did, so its discovery just one week before it flies past our planet highlights the ongoing need to improve our ability to detect and monitor potentially hazardous near-Earth objects,” noted ESA.
Amateur astronomers can observe 2024 MK with a small telescope or good binoculars in clear, dark skies on June 29, using ESA’s NEO toolkit for guidance.
Asteroid 2011 UL21
Asteroid (415029) 2011 UL21, is 2,310 meters in diameter, which makes it larger than 99 percent of near-Earth asteroids.
However, 2011 UL21 will not come as close to Earth, passing at over 17 times the distance to the moon on Thursday, June 27.
