A Massive Asteroid Will Hurl Past Earth at a Dangerously Close Distance in August

Although giant asteroids seldom crash with our planet, they occasionally pass within a reasonably close range before disappearing into the cosmic vacuum.

Unfortunately, another asteroid is on its way to passing within a "potentially hazardous" distance of the Earth later this month, and the great bulk of mankind will be completely unaware.

Should you be concerned about the giant space rock that may potentially cause devastation if it collides with Earth? You shouldn't do it. That isn't to say you should ignore it.

Asteroid 2016 AJ193

According to EarthSky, the asteroid, dubbed 2016 AJ193, is just under a mile across and traveling at a speed of 58,538 miles per hour. It will pass closest to Earth on August 23 around 11:10 a.m.

According to scientists, ET and anybody hoping to detect the asteroid in the wild would have the best chance of doing so before daybreak. If you want to see it, you'll need to use a telescope.

Despite NASA's designation of "possibly dangerous," EarthSky is quick to dispel any worries of imminent doom (at least from this specific asteroid) by stating that it will not impact Earth.

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Close Proximity

Scientists keep an eye on NEOs because asteroids and comets within this range might conceivably be pulled into our planet's orbit, though this is extremely unlikely. If a NEO were to ever constitute a threat, it would all come down to mitigation.

"Knowing the size, shape, mass, composition, and structure of these objects helps identify the best approach to redirect one if it has an Earth-threatening path," the space agency adds.

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