In the grand scheme of space this isn’t a large distance at all.
Any fast moving space object that comes within around 4.65 million miles is considered to be “potentially hazardous” by cautious space organisations.
The next space rock heading past Earth today will be Asteroid 2020 KD4, which could be as wide as 114 foot.
This asteroid is expected to pass at the much further distance of 2.5million miles away.
Asteroid 2020 KD4 should pass Earth at around 13:47 GMT.
Around three hours later 2020 KD4, Asteroid 2020 KF should shoot past from even further away.
This space rock could be the largest of the group at up to 144 foot wide.
Lastly, Asteroid 2020 KJ1 should shoot past Earth from 1.3million miles away.
This space rock could be up to 104 foot wide.
A different 98 foot asteroid also skimmed past Earth today but in the very early hours of the morning.
Nasa keeps an eye on objects that will be coming close to Earth but stresses that “a “close” passage astronomically can be very far away in human terms.”
What’s the difference between an asteroid, meteor and comet?
Here’s what you need to know, according to Nasa…
- Asteroid: An asteroid is a small rocky body that orbits the Sun. Most are found in the asteroid belt (between Mars and Jupiter) but they can be found anywhere (including in a path that can impact Earth)
- Meteoroid: When two asteroids hit each other, the small chunks that break off are called meteoroids
- Meteor: If a meteoroid enters the Earth’s atmosphere, it begins to vapourise and then becomes a meteor. On Earth, it’ll look like a streak of light in the sky, because the rock is burning up
- Meteorite: If a meteoroid doesn’t vapourise completely and survives the trip through Earth’s atmosphere, it can land on the Earth. At that point, it becomes a meteorite
- Comet: Like asteroids, a comet orbits the Sun. However rather than being made mostly of rock, a comet contains lots of ice and gas, which can result in amazing tails forming behind them (thanks to the ice and dust vapourising)
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