Kilometer-wide asteroid to pass near Earth on February 14
World
One of the largest asteroids observed over the past year will make a close approach to Earth this Saturday. Despite its impressive size, the object poses no threat to the planet.
Asteroid 162882 (2001 FD58), measuring up to about one kilometer in diameter, will pass Earth on February 14 at a distance of several million kilometers. The information was reported by the Solar Astronomy Laboratory of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Space Research Institute.
According to specialists, the object’s estimated size ranges from 500 meters to one kilometer. This makes it the largest asteroid among those that have passed within 7.5 million kilometers of Earth over the past year.
By classification, such objects are considered potentially hazardous, but in this case the designation is based solely on formal criteria related to size and orbit. Scientists emphasize that the asteroid poses no real threat to Earth.
The probability of a collision with the planet is assessed as zero, and the flyby will be completely safe.
According to specialists, the object’s estimated size ranges from 500 meters to one kilometer. This makes it the largest asteroid among those that have passed within 7.5 million kilometers of Earth over the past year.
By classification, such objects are considered potentially hazardous, but in this case the designation is based solely on formal criteria related to size and orbit. Scientists emphasize that the asteroid poses no real threat to Earth.
The probability of a collision with the planet is assessed as zero, and the flyby will be completely safe.
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