December 22, 2024

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The 2,000-foot asteroid 2013 NK4 safely passes near Earth today

The 2,000-foot asteroid 2013 NK4 safely passes near Earth today

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A 2,000-foot asteroid is scheduled to pass by Earth on Monday morning, and if you can't catch it now, you'll have to wait more than a year to see it again.

But astronomers say you'll need a telescope to see this annual space phenomenon.

Named asteroid 2013NK4 It orbits the sun every 378 days, according to NASA.

The space rock has an elliptical orbit that passes through the orbit of Mars and between the orbits of Venus and Mercury.

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At what time will the large asteroid pass Earth?

The asteroid is scheduled to pass safely near Earth 10:51 AM ETNASA reports.

It is scheduled to pass by Earth again next year on April 23 at 7:12 a.m. ET.

Will I be able to see the asteroid pass by Earth with my own eyes?

No, you'll need a telescope to see the celestial object, NASA says.

Although the closest approach of asteroid 2013 NK4 will occur on Monday, given its position in the sky, the space rock will be easier to see when darkness falls on April 16 and 17. According to EarthSky.org.

The newspaper reported that the size of the asteroid is approximately twice the size of Apophis, or the so-called “Apophis.” Asteroid on doomsday“It is scheduled to pass closest to Earth's satellites in 2029.

Natalie Nessa Alund is a senior correspondent for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] and follow her at X@natealund.