Colossal Asteroid to Skim Past Earth Tonight

On 27 June 2024, a mammoth asteroid the size of Mount Everest will make a close approach to our planet, passing just 17 times the distance of the Moon. Named Asteroid (415029) 2011 UL21, this "planet killer" has been classified by NASA as a "potentially hazardous asteroid," though it poses no immediate danger to Earth.

At a staggering 2,310 meters (7,575 feet) in diameter, this asteroid is larger than 99% of all known near-Earth objects (NEOs). To put its size into perspective, Mount Everest, the highest mountain on Earth, stands at 8,849 meters (29,032 feet) tall. This celestial behemoth will be zipping past our planet at a breakneck speed of nearly 26 kilometers per second (over 58,000 miles per hour).

While the prospect of a mountain-sized asteroid hurtling by may seem alarming, astronomers have reassured the public that it poses no immediate threat. In fact, Asteroid (415029) 2011 UL21 is not expected to come any closer to Earth than 17 times the distance of the Moon for at least the next thousand years.

Nonetheless, the close approach of this "planet killer" asteroid has generated considerable interest among space enthusiasts and the scientific community alike. The European Space Agency has issued an alert, and the Virtual Telescope Project will be providing a free live stream of the event, allowing people around the world to witness this celestial spectacle.

Astronomers have also identified another near-Earth asteroid, Asteroid 2024 MK, that will be passing by our planet just two days after Asteroid (415029) 2011 UL21. While significantly smaller, measuring between 122 and 256 meters (400 to 840 feet) in diameter, this newly discovered asteroid will come much closer, passing at 77% of the distance to the Moon.

As we continue to expand our knowledge of the universe and monitor the movement of these celestial bodies, events like the close approach of these asteroids serve as a reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of our cosmic neighborhood.