Asteroid 2024 ON: A Close Encounter with Earth
On September 15, 2024, asteroid 2024 ON, a massive space rock nearly the size of two cricket grounds (220-480 meters in diameter), made a close approach to Earth, passing at a safe distance of approximately 1 million kilometers—roughly 2.6 times the distance between Earth and the Moon. While classified as "potentially hazardous" due to its size and proximity, astronomers have assured that it poses no threat to our planet.
Discovered in July 2024 by the Atlas Sky Survey, this asteroid had been closely monitored by space agencies, and images captured by the Virtual Telescope Project offered a stunning view of its approach. Moving at an astonishing speed of 25,000 mph, 2024 ON’s flyby has created excitement among space enthusiasts, marking a rare event that occurs only once every decade.
For those interested, the Virtual Telescope Project live-streamed the event, giving viewers a front-row seat to this celestial occurrence. The asteroid will continue its journey through space, and scientists will keep tracking its orbit for future observations.
Asteroids like 2024 ON are remnants from the early solar system, and their close approaches provide valuable insights into our cosmic neighborhood. These encounters also highlight the importance of planetary defense efforts to monitor and study potentially hazardous objects.
Stay tuned for more space events as asteroids continue to fascinate and challenge our understanding of the universe.
Sources: NewsX, NASA.
