A massive asteroid, known as 2020 XR, will pass by Earth tonight in its closest approach ever recorded. With a diameter of roughly 1,200 feet (366 meters)—the size of a football stadium—this asteroid will come within 1.37 million miles (2.2 million kilometers) of Earth. Despite its proximity, scientists confirm there is no threat of collision.
When and How to Watch
Traveling at an astonishing speed of 27,500 miles per hour (44,300 kilometers per hour), 2020 XR will reach its closest point to Earth at 12:27 AM Eastern Time on December 4, 2024. For those eager to catch a glimpse, the Virtual Telescope Project will host a live-streamed event starting at 1:30 PM Eastern Time on December 3.
Astronomy enthusiasts with an 8-inch (20-centimeter) telescope may also spot the asteroid.
Why It’s Significant
2020 XR is classified as a "potentially hazardous" near-Earth object (NEO). These objects are defined as having orbits that bring them within 4.65 million miles (7.5 million kilometers) of Earth and a diameter exceeding 500 feet (150 meters). While the term "hazardous" might sound alarming, experts assure that this asteroid poses no immediate risk.
Tracking and Discovery
When the asteroid was first discovered, preliminary calculations suggested a small chance of impact with Earth in 2028. However, further analysis, including the study of archival data, ruled out any collision. Juan Luis Cano, from the European Space Agency's (ESA) Near-Earth Object Coordination Center, explained, "Astronomers initially thought 2020 XR had a small chance of impacting Earth in 2028. But by examining older data, they refined its trajectory and confirmed it poses no hazard."
The last time 2020 XR came this close to Earth was in 1977, but its distance then was significantly greater—around 10 million miles farther than this year's approach.
Scientific Opportunity
This flyby offers scientists a rare opportunity to study the asteroid's characteristics, enhancing our understanding of NEOs and helping improve planetary defense strategies. Observing such close encounters is critical for refining techniques to track and predict the behavior of space objects.
Don’t Miss the Event
For a front-row seat to this celestial spectacle, visit the Virtual Telescope Project's website for the live broadcast. Events like these remind us of the importance of monitoring near-Earth objects and how much progress has been made in tracking and studying these cosmic wanderers.