Brief Description
The Jet Propulsion Laboratory of NASA reported that the raging asteroid 2024 KN 1 is descending at a speed of approximately 16,500 kilometers per hour, and its size is stated to be around that of an 88-foot-long airplane. The asteroid has been categorized under the Amor Group.
About the Amor Group
Also termed Earth-approaching asteroids, contain orbits that reach the proximity of Earth, but have no potential to cross it. However, they do cross the orbit of Mars. These asteroids are not classified as hazardous and can vary in size, ranging from a meter-sized rock to a large body whose diameter can be several kilometers.
A Menace?
It is said to approach Earth on June 23, 2024, at 11:39 PM IST. However, despite of its swift approach, worries have been brought down when it was reported that asteroid 2024 KN1 is non-threatening. The asteroid will pass the Earth safely at a distance of 5.6 kilometers, and will not lose any amount of risk, 14 times away from the Moon.
How Are Risks Elevated?
To monitor these celestial activities, NASA’s Center For Near Earth Object Studies employs data from numerous observations worldwide. Certain Radar projects and astronomers also play a significant role in monitoring these activities, and their collective efforts ensure that such potential risks related to space rocks are detected in the early stages.
Tabletop Exercise by NASA
The fifth biennial Planetary Defense Interagency Tabletop Exercise was held by NASA in April 2020, which included about 100 representatives from numerous agencies of the US government. The purpose of the exercise was to provide insights about the potential risks, options for response, and opportunities for future collaborations.
Benefits of the Exercise
Lindley Johnson, the planetary defense officer at NASA Headquarters mentioned that the exercise led to the participations to introspect about the possibilities of challenging future circumstances that may arise due to asteroid impacts. He emphasized the fact that these impacts are only natural disasters humans have the capability and technology to predict and avoid.