Small asteroids like 2022 SW3 often pass close to Earth.
NASA officials confirmed today that a 120-foot asteroid, about the size of a small airplane, will come close to Earth. But don't worry, because despite its proximity, asteroid 2022 SW3 poses no threat. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory assured there was no cause for concern when it said the asteroid “will come no closer than about 1.6 million miles.”
It will pass within three times the distance of Earth to the Moon. Although it is close, scientists are quick to say that it does not yet pose a threat to Earth. This close encounter will be a chance for scientists to gather much-needed data on near-Earth objects (NEOs).
Scientists are monitoring the orbits of known asteroids, including 2022 SW3, which periodically come close to Earth's orbit. These observations are very important for hazard forecasting and assessment.
Asteroids were indeed part of the material remains of the ancient solar system, born about 4.6 billion years ago. They have no atmosphere and do not have planetary forms. Advanced technology and observation can trace their paths in minute detail.
Some of these had major consequences for the Earth, such as the Chicxulub impact that caused the demise of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago.
Examples include NASA’s OSIRIS-REx and Japan’s Hayabusa2. Samples obtained from missions like these have been crucial in providing answers about the origins of our solar system and how life-saving compounds could have arrived on Earth. Every asteroid that passes increases our chances of preparing for other potential threats.
Today’s close flyby is also an eye-opener to the fact that you can’t just understand asteroids or make accurate observations of them once and for all. While this event isn’t dangerous, it’s a good time to gather data in preparation for future encounters by scientists.
The space agency NASA has developed a defense system to ward off fears of these near-Earth objects. According to NASA, the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), the world's first demonstration of planetary defense technology, has successfully struck an asteroid target in the past in an attempt to move an asteroid into space.
