Asteroid ‘size of small truck’ passing Earth tonight
An asteroid ‘the size of a small truck’ will pass by Earth tonight. It is expected to pass just a few thousand kilometres above the planet’s surface – making it one of the closest approaches ever recorded. However, experts say there is no risk of the asteroid – which is estimated to be 11.5ft to 28ft across – smashing into Earth.
READ MORE: Met Office warns of ‘severe’ cold weather into the weekend Professor Don Pollacco, from the department of physics at the University of Warwick, said: “There are still asteroids that cross the Earth’s orbit waiting to be discovered. 2023 BU is a recently discovered object supposedly the size of a small bus which must have passed by the Earth thousands of times before. “This time it passes by only 2,200 miles from the Earth – just 10% of the distance to the moon – a celestial near miss.
Depending on what 2023 BU is composed of it is unlikely to ever reach the Earth’s surface but instead burn up in the atmosphere as a brilliant fireball – brighter than a full moon. “However, there are likely many asteroids out there that remain undiscovered that could penetrate the atmosphere and hit the surface – indeed many scientists think we could be due such an event.”
How can I watch the asteroid pass close to Earth?
The Virtual Telescope Project will be broadcasting the close encounter live from 7.15pm on Thursday, January 26. Astronomer Gianluca Masi will be hosting a free livestream on the project’s website and YouTube channel.
When will the asteroid pass close to Earth?
The asteroid was first spotted on January 21 and has been named asteroid 2023 BU.
It is due to whizz past Earth shortly after midnight on Friday, January 27. Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what’s on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here READ NEXT:
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