Recently, scientists predicted that an asteroid will approach Earth in early 2022. However, they also believe it poses no danger to our planet.
The asteroid is the size of a bus. (Photo: Pixabay/urikyo33).
According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), asteroid 2014 YE15, first discovered in 2014, will approach Earth at a distance of approximately 7,400,000 km on January 6.
2014 YE15 measures about 7 meters in size, roughly the length of a bus, which is why NASA does not consider it a significant threat. NASA’s criteria for classifying an object as hazardous includes a size greater than 150 meters and a close approach to Earth within 7.5 million km.
In another development, on December 29, an asteroid measuring approximately 149 meters will approach Earth at a distance of 3,540,000 km. This asteroid approaches Earth roughly every few days, so scientists do not consider it a cause for concern either.
However, this does not mean we should ignore them. Even a small piece of meteorite can cause trouble. In 2013, a 20-meter asteroid exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, releasing energy equivalent to about 26 to 33 atomic bomb explosions. Several buildings were damaged, and around 1,500 people were treated for injuries following the explosion.
