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A huge asteroid named Asteroid 2022 RJ2 is hurtling towards Earth. Will it miss the planet? Here’s what NASA had to say about this asteroid.
NASA defines asteroids as rocky, airless remnants left over from the early formation of our solar system about 4.6 billion years ago. Most of them can be found orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter within the main asteroid belt. Asteroids come in all shapes and sizes, with the largest being nearly 530 kilometers in diameter called Vesta. Earth is being bombarded with asteroids this year. August alone has seen more than 35 asteroids passing by Earth closely and September is expected to follow the same trend. Now, another asteroid is on its way, NASA has warned.
Asteroid 2022 RJ2 heading for Earth at dangerous speed
A 45 feet wide asteroid named Asteroid 2022 RJ2 is expected to zoom past Earth on September 12. The asteroid is already on its way towards Earth, travelling at a staggering speed of 57,096 kilometers per hour. Nasa has issued a warning classifying the Asteroid 2022 RJ2 as a “Potentially Hazardous Object” due to the close proximity with which it will pass by Earth. Although it will not collide with Earth, a slight deviation in its trajectory due to the Earth’s gravitational pull can send it towards Earth for an impact.
The Asteroid 2022 RJ2 is expected to make its closest approach to Earth on September 12 at a distance of just 1.17 million kilometers.
According to the-sky.org, the Asteroid 2022 RJ2 was discovered on September 3, 2022 and belongs to the main Apollo group of asteroids.
James Webb Space Telescope captures stunning images of Jupiter
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has captured stunning pictures of Jupiter. The space telescope has been excelling in its capabilities since its launch in December 2021. Now, the JWST has added another feather in its cap by capturing Jupiter in all its glory. The images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope could give scientists a look at the conditions of the gas giant.
Planetary astronomer Imke de Pater, professor emerita of the University of California, Berkeley said, “We hadn’t really expected it to be this good, to be honest. It’s really remarkable that we can see details on Jupiter together with its rings, tiny satellites, and even galaxies in one image.”
The images were captured by the telescope’s Near Infrared Camera (NIRCam) instrument on July 27, which highlighted the planet’s unique features. According to NASA, the NIRCam has three specialized infrared filters that showcase details of the planet.
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