Which asteroid passed closest to the Earth?

Asteroids are small, rocky objects that orbit the Sun.

Many of them are located in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, but some asteroids have orbits that bring them closer to Earth.

These asteroids are known as “Near-Earth Objects” (NEOs). Some NEOs have orbits that intersect with Earth’s orbit, which means they can pass close to our planet.

There have been many asteroids that have passed close to Earth.

There have been many asteroids that have passed close to Earth in recent history. Here are a few examples:

In January 2019, asteroid 2019 OK passed within about 45,000 miles (73,000 kilometers) of Earth, which is about one-fifth the distance between the Earth and the Moon.

In December 2020, asteroid 2020 XA passed within about 1.3 lunar distances (about 312,000 miles or 502,000 kilometers) of Earth.

In March 2021, asteroid 2021 GW4 passed within about 14,000 miles (22,000 kilometers) of Earth, which is about 60% closer than the Moon.

In April 2021, asteroid 2021 JF1 passed within about 27,000 miles (43,000 kilometers) of Earth.

It's worth noting that many asteroids pass close to Earth on a regular basis, but most are small and pose no threat of impacting our planet. NASA and other organizations closely monitor the orbits of these asteroids to ensure they will not hit the Earth.

But the one that has come the closest in recent times was asteroid 2018 VK1, which passed about 480,000 kilometers (300,000 miles) from Earth on November 6, 2018.

This is roughly 1.3 times the distance from Earth to the Moon.

Asteroid 2018 VK1 is a small asteroid that was discovered on November 3, 2018, by the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) survey.

It is classified as a “Near-Earth Object” (NEO), which means it has an orbit that brings it close to Earth.

2018 VK1 is a relatively small asteroid, with an estimated diameter of only a few meters.

It is thought to be a “rock comet,” which is a type of asteroid that has a rocky surface but also displays a coma (a glowing halo of gas and dust) when it is close to the Sun.

It is not uncommon for asteroids to pass close to Earth, but most of them are much smaller and less well-known than 2018 VK1.

While 2018 VK1 did not pose any threat to Earth, there are other asteroids out there that could potentially impact our planet.

The probability of an asteroid impact is small, but it is important for scientists to continue to monitor and track these objects to better understand their orbits and potential risks.

The probability of an asteroid impact on Earth depends on the size of the asteroid and its likelihood of hitting our planet.

For example, the likelihood of a large asteroid (greater than 1 km in diameter) impacting Earth is estimated to be about once every 500,000 years.

On the other hand, the likelihood of an asteroid smaller than 140 meters in diameter impacting Earth is estimated to be about once every 50 years. It's important to note that these are rough estimates, and the actual probability can vary depending on a number of factors

. NASA and other organizations are constantly monitoring the orbits of known asteroids to track any potential impact risks.

-----------------------------------

Hey there! Are you looking for inspiration and motivation in your daily life? Look no further! I am excited to share my thoughts and experiences through my short articles. I believe that we can all learn from one another, and I am eager to share my perspective with you.

By subscribing to my content, you'll have access to a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Whether you're looking to improve your relationships, career, or overall well-being, I have something for you.

So, take a moment to sit back, relax, and enjoy the read. If you found value in my words, don't forget to follow me and give a like. You'll be the first to know when I have new content.

Thanks for your support,

-Patrick