Last week, two asteroids passed close by Earth, providing scientists a chance to study them up close. While neither asteroid posed any threat to our planet, they were close enough for researchers to get detailed observations.
Asteroids 2024 MK and 2011 UL21
- Asteroid 2024 MK: Passed by Earth on June 27.
- Asteroid 2011 UL21: Came within 4.1 million miles of Earth on June 29. This asteroid is nearly a mile wide and classified as potentially hazardous due to its size and proximity. However, astronomers have confirmed it won’t impact Earth any time soon.
NASA scientists used the Deep Space Network’s radar to study these asteroids. They discovered that 2011 UL21 is part of a binary system, meaning it has a tiny moonlet orbiting it about 2 miles away. Understanding these binary systems helps scientists learn about the formation and characteristics of asteroids.
Discoveries and Techniques
- Binary Systems: About two-thirds of large asteroids are in binary systems. By studying their orbits and interactions, scientists can gather information on their mass, density, and formation.
- Radar Observations: Researchers used radar to bounce radio waves off the asteroids, revealing details about their surfaces and shapes.
The second asteroid, 2024 MK, came even closer to Earth, at a distance of 184,000 miles (closer than the moon). This asteroid is smaller, around 500 feet long, and has a jagged, complex surface. The close proximity allowed researchers to get detailed images and study its physical properties.
“These close flybys gave us an extraordinary opportunity to learn more about near-Earth asteroids,” said Lance Benner, principal scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. By studying these asteroids, scientists can better understand those that might pose a threat in the future.
