Most of the asteroids in the Solar System occupy the main belt between Mars and Jupiter. However, there are populations of asteroids distributed throughout the Solar System, with some in the same neighbourhood as Earth. Frequently, these near Earth asteroids make a close approach to the Earth.
Illustration of a near Earth asteroid. (Image Credit: Bing Image Creator/News9).
A pair of tiny asteroids are scheduled to make a close approach to the Earth on 15 March, 2024. 2024 EK3 measures between 5 and 11 metres across, will be travelling at a speed of 6.73 kilometres per second, and will approach within 6,17,620 kilometres of the Earth, or less than two times the distance from the Earth to the Moon.
The other asteroid has the designation of 2020 FU. It is larger, measuring between 14 and 31 metres across, and is travelling at a velocity of 15.48 kilometres per second. 2020 FU will approach within 46,64,668 kilometres of the Earth, or less than 13 times the lunar distance.
What would happen if the asteroid hits the Earth?
The two asteroids will hurtle past the Earth this time around, and do not pose a threat to the planet. About once every 200 years, an asteroid of comparable size to 2020 FU does strike the Earth. The asteroid is too small to reach the surface and cause an impact crater. It would blow up spectacularly in an airburst at an altitude of 7.3 kilometres, releasing as much energy as two megatons of TNT.
The airburst would result in a 180 decibel shockwave, that would flatten homes within a radius of a kilometre, resulting in the deaths of about a 100 people if the impact were to take place over a populated metro city. The airburst would also result in winds moving at 75 kilometres per second, which would cause the collapse of all trees within a radius of three kilometres, and the deaths of around 6,500 people.
Why is it important to track asteroids?
Even a small asteroid can have a devastating impact were to strike the Earth, which is why space agencies around the world have set up ground and space based infrastructure to track asteroids. Tracking the same asteroids over the course of many days is necessary to figure out their orbital parameters, and determine if they have a chance of impacting the Earth in the future. There are no major asteroid strikes expected over the course of the next few centuries.
Shambhu Kumar is a science communicator, making complex scientific topics accessible to all. His articles explore breakthroughs in various scientific disciplines, from space exploration to cutting-edge research.
