Topline Ahead of Asteroid Day on Sunday, an asteroid larger than 99% of all known near-Earth asteroids and a second asteroid that will come closer than the moon, will pass Earth this week, and scientists are keeping an eye on them because of their size and how close they’re coming, though any threat level is low. Planet Earth and big asteroid in the space. Key Facts A 7,200-foot asteroid is expected to pass by Earth Thursday, coming within 4.
1 million miles of the planet—about 17 times further than the moon— according to NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The large asteroid, called (415029) 2011 UL21, orbits the sun about every three years, though the next time it comes close won’t happen until 2052 , when it will come within around 26 million miles of Earth. A second asteroid, 2024 MK , passes on Saturday and should make an even closer approach at 180,198 miles, and although it’s not expected to come anywhere near Earth it would cause “considerable damage” if it did, according to the ESA.
2024 MK will be making its first close approach just 11 days after it was discovered last Sunday, and it's estimated to be between 393 feet and 853 feet. NASA labels objects larger than 150 meters that come within 4.6 million miles of Earth “potentially hazardous objects,” so scientists monitor their potential danger even though they don’t expect the asteroids to pose a threat.
When Will The Asteroids Pass Earth? (415029) 2011 UL21 is expected to pass the Earth around 4:16 .
