An asteroid called “Asteroid 2001 FO32” has just passed near the Earth last Sunday, March 21st, 2021. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration of the U.S Government (NASA) confirmed that there was no risk that the asteroid could hit or that it would be dangerous enough for the earth, even though it was considered a “potentially hazardous asteroid”, because of the proximity to the earth when it passed.
(Image credit: Aleksandra Sova via Shutterstock)
But first, do you know what an asteroid is?
An asteroid is a minor planet that can be classified as a comet or planet. It is a small rocky object that orbits around the sun and some planets. The largest form of asteroids is called planetoids.
How fast can it go and how big it is?
The “FO32'' has already passed the Sunday 21st of March. It went about 77,000 miles per hour / 124,000 kilometers per hour, and its width is 2,230 ft and 6 miles of height. This asteroid makes a journey around the whole solar system like the other planets! It's just that for the “FO32”, it takes 810 days (about 2 ¼ years).
How was this asteroid discovered?
This asteroid was first discovered in March 2001, and it is part of “The Apollo asteroid family”. Right now, scientists and people don’t know much about these types of asteroids, but this new opportunity to see the F032 helped scientists to record and collect more information about it.
In conclusion, even though the asteroid 2001 FO32, went about 77,000 miles per hour / 124,000 kilometers per hour; and it has a width of 2,230 ft and 6 miles of height. It was not dangerous to Earth and this was proven by scientists last Sunday 21st of March. This asteroid will not be seen again until the year 2052.
Mia
Sources:
Deutsche Welle (www.dw.com. “Gran Asteroide Se Acercará a La Tierra Sin Riesgo de Colisión | DW | 21.03.2021.” DW.COM, 2021, www.dw.com/es/gran-asteroide-se-acercar%C3%A1-a-la-tierra-sin-riesgo-de-colisi%C3%B3n/a-56942499 . Accessed 25 Mar. 2021.
AFP. “Bautizado ’2001 FO32’, El Gran Asteroide Hoy Pasó Cerca de La Tierra.” Noticias, Deportes, Gossip, Columnas | El Sol de México, Noticias, Deportes, Gossip, Columnas | El Sol de México, 2021, www.elsoldemexico.com.mx/doble-via/ciencia/bautizado-2001-fo32-el-gran-asteroide-21-marzo-2021-paso-cerca-planeta-tierra-nasa-6503054.html . Accessed 25 Mar. 2021.
“Asteroid 2001 FO32 Will Safely Pass by Earth March 21.” NASA, 2019, www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/asteroid-2001-fo32-will-safely-pass-by-earth-march-21 . Accessed 25 Mar. 2021.
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