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2023-03-26 Science & Technology

Large asteroid to zoom between Earth and Moon

[An Nahar] A large asteroid will safely zoom between Earth and the Moon on Saturday, a once-in-a-decade event that will be used as a training exercise for planetary defence efforts, according to the European Space Agency.

The asteroid, named 2023 DZ2, is estimated to be 40 to 70 meters (130 to 230 feet) wide, roughly the size of the Parthenon, and big enough to wipe out a large city if it hit our planet.

At 19:49 GMT on Saturday it will come within a third of the distance from the Earth to the Moon, said Richard Moissl, the head of the ESA's planetary defense office.

Though that is "very close", there is nothing to worry about, he told AFP.

Small asteroids fly past every day, but one of this size coming so close to Earth only happens around once every 10 years, he added.

The asteroid will pass 175,000 kilometres (109,000 miles) from Earth at a speed of 28,000 kilometres per hour (17,400 miles per hour). The moon is roughly 385,000 kilometers away.

An observatory in La Palma, one of Spain's Canary Islands, first spotted the asteroid on February 27.

Last week, the UN-endorsed International Asteroid Warning Network decided it would take advantage of the close look, carrying out a "rapid characterization" of 2023 DZ2, Moissl said.

That means astronomers around the world will analyse the asteroid with a range of instruments such as spectrometers and radars.

The goal is to find out just how much we can learn about such an asteroid in only a week, Moissl said.

It will also serve as training for how the network "would react to a threat" possibly heading our way in the future, he added.

Posted by Fred 2023-03-26 00:00|| || Front Page|| [11132 views ] Top

#1 roughly the size of 153 armadillos

Posted by Skidmark 2023-03-26 00:49|| 2023-03-26 00:49|| Front Page Top

#2 I think I have seen that sculpture.

Posted by Super Hose 2023-03-26 06:30|| 2023-03-26 06:30|| Front Page Top

#3 Or 22 tuna fish

Posted by Skidmark 2023-03-26 08:13|| 2023-03-26 08:13|| Front Page Top

#4 so, checks math.... about 52 Stacy Abrams

Posted by 746 2023-03-26 10:33|| 2023-03-26 10:33|| Front Page Top

#5 How many cubic Nancy Pelosi Sub-Zero freezers of designer ice cream is that?

Posted by M. Murcek 2023-03-26 10:38|| 2023-03-26 10:38|| Front Page Top

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