‘Planet-killer’: Mountain Everest-sized asteroid to flyby Earth this week

What could be called a rare event, two “potentially hazardous” asteroids are set to fly past Earth this week, albeit they don’t pose any threat to our planet. While Asteroid (415029) 2011 UL21 will pass near Earth on June 27, Asteroid 2024 MK will fly by on June 29.

Nicknamed the “planet-killer,” 2011 UL21 is on a trajectory to make its closest approach to Earth in over a century.

“Asteroid (415029) 2011 UL21 will fly past Earth on 27 June, at 20:14 UTC (22:14 CEST),” stated the European Space Agency (ESA).

Interestingly, Asteroid 2024 MK was discovered earlier this month, just 13 days before its close pass by Earth. While smaller than the asteroid 2011 UL21, it is still a considerable size, ranging between 390 and 885 feet in diameter.

It will come within 184,000 miles of Earth, about 77% of the average distance between Earth and the moon. This close approach will make it one of the brightest near-Earth objects observed recently.

2011 UL21: A potentially hazardous object

Asteroid 2011 UL21, “very roughly comparable in size to Mount Everest,” will travel at an incredible speed of 58,000 miles per hour and fly past at around 4.1 million miles (6.6 million km) from Earth.

This distance, although closer than it has been in over a century, does not seem to concern the ESA. “It poses no risk to Earth and will pass by more than 17 times as far away as the Moon ,” explained the space agency.

This near-Earth object, with a diameter estimated between 1.1 and 2.4 miles (1.7 to 3.9 kilometers), is classified as a “potentially hazardous object” due to its size and close proximity to Earth’s orbit. It completes its orbit around the sun once every three years.

Notably, 2011 UL21 is larger than 99% of all known near-Earth objects (NEOs). Despite the alarming classification, there is no reason for panic. Scientists say the asteroid poses no threat to Earth and will pass at a safe distance.

While smaller than the asteroid that caused the extinction of dinosaurs 66 million years ago, 2011 UL21 could still inflict damage on a continental scale if it were to collide with Earth.

It could also eject enough debris into the atmosphere to trigger significant climatic changes, earning it the “ planet killer ” moniker.

Skywatchers’ opportunity

This closest flyby in over 100 years may even offer skywatchers a unique glimpse of the asteroid.

From the Northern Hemisphere, those equipped with a decent telescope can observe 2011 UL21 on June 28 and 29.

During these nights, the asteroid will shine as bright as Proxima Centauri, the closest star to our sun, offering a rare treat for astronomy enthusiasts. The asteroid will be moving quickly, so it will be important to have a steady hand.

Besides, the asteroid’s flyby offers a golden opportunity for scientists and astronomers to study this celestial visitor in detail.

By analyzing its trajectory, composition, and behavior, researchers can glean valuable insights into the early solar system and the potential risks posed by near-Earth objects.

After June 27, 2024, the asteroid 2011 UL21 will not come as near to Earth as it is today for another 65 years. In the year 2089 , it is expected to fly past Earth again, but at a distance of 1.7 million miles (2.7 million km), which is still a safe distance.