In an era where space agencies are constantly on alert for happenings in the vast space, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), ESA (European Space Agency), and other global space organizations have harnessed cutting-edge technology to monitor and even deflect asteroids that come dangerously close to Earth. Today, on September 11, 2023, NASA has come out with critical details about an approaching space visitor, Asteroid 2023 RU, emphasizing the crucial role such monitoring plays in safeguarding our planet.

Details about Asteroid 2023 RU

Through a network of satellites, space-based telescopes, and ground observatories, NASA has been tracking Asteroid 2023 RU. This asteroid is currently en route to Earth and is anticipated to make its closest approach at a distance of approximately 4 million kilometers. Whats truly astonishing is the asteroids staggering speed, flying through space at a pace of 72,951 kilometers per hour. This Asteroid belongs to the Apollo group of Near-Earth Asteroids. It is of a size between 65 to 130 feet wide, which roughly makes it the size of an aircraft.

Role of NASAs constant monitoring NASAs vigilance extends to a vast population of Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs). By employing telescopes to precisely pinpoint the positions of newly discovered NEAs, NASA contributes this invaluable data to the Minor Planet Center. The Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) then harnesses this information to compute the most probable orbits of these space rocks around the Sun. To assess potential impact scenarios, NASA utilizes the Sentry program, which relies on a sophisticated algorithm.