A massive asteroid known as 2011 UL21, nicknamed the ‘planet killer,’ is set to make an incredibly close approach to Earth, providing a rare opportunity for millions to witness this celestial event. This mountain-sized asteroid, classified as a ‘potentially hazardous asteroid’ by NASA, will be making its closest flyby in over a century. Traveling at astonishing speeds of nearly 26 kilometers per second, the asteroid will pass by Earth just after 9 pm BST (4 pm ET) on 27th June, 2024.
The asteroid is comparable in size to Mount Everest and is known to be larger than 99% of all known near-Earth objects (NEOs). Despite its imposing size, the asteroid poses no immediate threat to Earth for at least the next thousand years. While it will come within 4.1 million miles of Earth on this pass, an equivalent distance closer than in the past 110 years, it is still over 17 times farther away from our planet than the Moon.
Astronomers are gearing up to capture this remarkable celestial event, with a free live stream of the asteroid available on the website of the Virtual Telescope Project. Additionally, the asteroid will be visible through a regular telescope on the nights of 28th and 29th June, providing sky gazers with a unique opportunity to witness this ‘planet killer’ in action.
As our planet briefly brushes with this massive space rock, the asteroid serves as a reminder of the potential dangers lurking in our solar system. While it poses no threat on this occasion, the size and impact potential of ‘planet killer’ asteroids like 2011 UL21 continue to capture the attention of astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. Stay tuned for more updates and insights on this fascinating encounter with a celestial giant.
