NASA has announced that two asteroids, 2024 KH3 and 2024 PK1, are expected to pass near Earth on August 10. Both will remain at a safe distance from our planet, posing no threat. According to NASA’s Small-Body Database, asteroid 2024 KH3 is a near-Earth asteroid (NEA) from the Amor group. It travels at 11.42 km per second, or 41,125 km per hour. Although it will come relatively close, NASA confirms that 2024 KH3 will pass safely and will make another close approach in June 2037.
On the same day, a smaller asteroid, 2024 PK1, will also pass by Earth. This asteroid, about 110 feet in size, will come within 4,010,000 miles of Earth. It, too, is a Near-Earth Object (NEO) from the Amor group, according to NASA’s Asteroid Watch. Earth will remain unharmed as these space rocks continue their journey through space.
The Asteroid Watch dashboard tracks asteroids and comets that come relatively close to Earth, providing details for each encounter, such as the date of closest approach, the object’s diameter, relative size, and distance from Earth.
Asteroids, or minor planets, are rocky remnants from the early solar system, dating back 4.6 billion years. These celestial bodies, which orbit within the inner solar system, do not have atmospheres. Scientists predict their paths using observations, mathematical models, and advanced technology.
Some asteroids have collided with Earth, causing significant geological changes and impacting life on our planet. A well-known example is the Chicxulub impact, which occurred around 66 million years ago and is believed to have caused the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.
