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Journalism of Courage
As many as five asteroids are speeding towards Earth as reported by Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The space rocks have been identified as 2024 SY5, 2024 RJ32, 2024 SL3, 2024 SZ1 and 2023 GM1 and will pass by Earth today. The asteroids’ size and distance do not pose any threat of impact. However, it offers an opportunity for scientists to observe and study small near-Earth objects.
The Asteroid 2024 SY5 is around the size of a bus (9 metres) and it will make a close approach to Earth today. The asteroid will pass at a safe distance of 1,640,000 kilometres, this is around 4.3 times the average distance between the Moon and the Earth. Although relatively small, such a close approach offers astronomers to study it closely and even helps them work towards enhancing the planetary defence systems.
The third asteroid, 2024 SL3, is the size of a house (19 metres) and it will make a close approach from a distance of about 3,130, 000 kilometres. This distance is about 8.1 times the average distance between Earth and Moon. This asteroid will have a safe passage.
The fourth asteroid, 2024 SZ1, at 34 metres, is as big as a plane and will pass by Earth from a distance of around 4,210, 000 kilometres, which is about 11 times the average distance between Moon and Earth. The fifth asteroid, 2023 GM1 is perhaps the smallest asteroid at 12 metres and it will pass by our home planet from a distance of about 5,900,000 kilometres.
Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun. According to Nasa, these inactive rocks are also known as minor planets and are believed to be the remains from the formation of our solar system four billion years ago.
