Asteroid 2005 YU55 To Pass Earth – A giant asteroid referenced as Asteroid 2005 YU55 will pass close to Earth today.
Amateur astronomers with optical telescopes can see Asteroid 2005 YU55, the aircraft sized asteroid, during its closest distance to the Earth. According to NASA this will occur at approximately 6:28 p.m. ET when it passes within 202,000 miles of our planet.
NASA will be tracking the giant via the Goldstone radar antennas in California’s Mojave Desert. These same antennas or radio telescopes are what NASA uses to track comets and quasars (those pesky xxxx).
NASA only gives Asteroid 2005 YU55 a ‘potentially hazardous’ rating, but Purdue University put the object into perspective with the warning that if it was to crash into the earth it could cause a 4,000 megaton blast and a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, along with a 70-foot high tsunami if it plopped into the ocean.
A rare scientific treat for all levels of astronomers, the asteroid will be photographed with high tech imaging which will allow scientists to reconstruct the exact shape of the object.
NASA also hastens to reassure the public that the space rock poses no threat to the public with the odds firmly against it hitting our planet.
Solaria Sun Asteroid 2005 YU55 To Pass Earth.
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