Next Thursday, June 27, a remarkable astronomical event will take place: an asteroid the size of Mount Everest, classified as "potentially hazardous", will pass close to Earth. This will be the closest the celestial body has come to the planet in the last 125 years.
Asteroid details
Known as "2011 UL 21", this asteroid is between 1.7 and 3.9 kilometers wide and travels at an impressive speed of 93,000 kilometers per hour. Despite its risk classification, it will pass at a safe distance of around 6,641,274 kilometers from Earth, which means that, at the moment, it doesn't pose a significant threat.
Features and Comparisons
"2011 UL 21" orbits the Sun once every 3.09 years and is larger than 99% of the near-Earth asteroids, according to the European Space Agency (ESA). Although it is not an immediate threat, its size and speed could cause destruction on a planetary scale if it collided with Earth. To put it into context, it is five times smaller than the asteroid that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Public Observation
Astronomy enthusiasts will have the opportunity to watch this asteroid pass by. The Virtual Telescope Project (VTP) will broadcast the event live, using images captured by the Bellatrix Astronomical Observatory in Ceccano, Italy. The broadcast will begin at 5 p.m. (Brasília time) on June 27.
On June 28 and 29, the asteroid can also be observed in the night sky, with a luminosity similar to that of Proxima Centauri. For the best view, you'll need a telescope.
Next passage
After this approach, "2011 UL 21" will only be seen again in 2089, when it will pass about 2.7 million kilometers from Earth, which is 2.5 times closer than the current passage, as reported by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Conclusion
Although "2011 UL 21" is classified as "potentially hazardous", its passage this month does not pose an immediate risk to Earth. However, events like this serve as a reminder of the importance of continuously monitoring near-Earth objects. Stay tuned and take the opportunity to observe this rare astronomical phenomenon through live streaming or a telescope.
