Huge asteroid three times size of blue whale to ‘skim past’ Earth within DAYS
NASA is staying tuned for a huge space rock that's three times the size of a blue whale and it's about to skim past Earth.
Asteroid 2021 GT2 is passing close enough to make it on NASA's tables.
The space agency estimates that the asteroid is between 121 and 272 feet wide.
In comparison, the average blue whale is around 70 feet long.
An asteroid of this size would cause some serious damage if it hit Earth.
Although NASA flagged the space rock as a close approach, Asteroid 2021 GT2 is set to pass the Earth at a safe 2.2million mile threshold.
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If an asteroid comes within 4.65million miles of Earth and is over a certain size, it's considered "potentially hazardous" by cautious space agencies.
Asteroid 2021 GT2 fits this NASA guideline.
The huge asteroid is expected to fly past on June 6.
The closest approach is expected at around 5:35am BST or 12:35 ET.
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The asteroid is expected to have another close approach in 2034. It will pass within 9million miles which is significantly farther away than next week's orbit.
How NASA protects against asteroids
Scientists want to prepare if an asteroid suddenly changes its trajectory, reported.
NASA Is in the midst of testing whether or not a large asteroid could be knocked off course by crashing a rocket into it.
The space agency recently launched an asteroid-deflecting spacecraft in November of last year.
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This spacecraft will hit the 530-foot-wide Dimorphos asteroid in fall 2022.
NASA will not destroy the asteroid, but they want to see if the space rock's orbit will change slightly.
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