NASA reports 100-foot asteroid zooming toward Earth at astounding speed

An asteroid the size of an airplane traveling at an incomprehensible speed will get uncomfortably close to Earth , according to reports from NASA.

The asteroid, named 2024 NB2, will get as close as 2,390,000 miles from Earth as it passes through the universe. This qualifies it as a Near-Earth Object (NEO) by NASA’s standards, which raises alarm bells and results in closer monitoring.

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Although that distance is relatively close in terms of asteroid proximity to Earth, it is unlikely that the asteroid will make contact with Earth at any point. However, it does provide rare and valuable opportunities for research. It is expected to pass safely by on July 13.

Asteroid 2024 NB2 was discovered recently and no prior records of it passing by Earth exist. It is estimated to be traveling at an astounding 29,777 miles per hour. Once it makes its way past Earth, it will be followed by another, even larger asteroid that is expected to show up on July 17.

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The 2020 NB2 asteroid is one of several that have been monitored by NASA lately . Last week, an asteroid traveling much closer to earth - 936,000 miles to be exact - skimmed by providing a rare opportunity for scientific research.

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