Today’s Current Affairs: Car-Sized Asteroid Skims Earth
A car-sized asteroid made a close pass by Earth on Tuesday morning, just two days after astronomers first spotted it. The asteroid, known as 2024 JN16, came within 11,500 miles of our planet’s surface, traveling at 5:50 am EDT. Amateur astronomer Gennadiy Borisov discovered the asteroid using the MARGO Observatory in Crimea. This space rock is part of the Apollo asteroid group, which includes the infamous Chelyabinsk meteor that exploded over Russia in 2013. The asteroid’s close proximity to Earth allowed it to shine brightly, visible to telescopes at magnitude 13. Although currently located in the constellation Serpens, the asteroid is over 186,400 miles away from Earth. According to astronomers, more than 40 asteroids have come closer to Earth than the moon’s orbit.
1. What is the size of asteroid 2024 JN16 that had a close shave with Earth?
– a) 30 feet
– b) 20 feet
– c) 15 feet
– d) 10 feet
Answer: 15 feet
2. When did asteroid 2024 JN16 come close to Earth?
– a) May 12
– b) May 14
– c) May 16
– d) May 18
Answer: May 14
3. Who discovered asteroid 2024 JN16 two days before it passed by Earth?
– a) NASA
– b) European Space Agency
– c) Gennadiy Borisov
– d) SpaceX
Answer: Gennadiy Borisov
4. Where is the asteroid 2024 JN16 located currently?
– a) In the constellation Serpens
– b) Near Mars
– c) Close to Jupiter
– d) In the asteroid belt
Answer: In the constellation Serpens
What is the size of the asteroid 2024 JN16 that had a close shave with Earth?
The asteroid 2024 JN16 was nearly the size of a car, less than 15 feet (4 meters) wide.
How close did the asteroid come to the surface of Earth?
The asteroid came as close as 11,500 miles (18,500 kilometers) from the surface of our planet when it zipped by at 5:50 am EDT on Tuesday (May 14).
When and how was the asteroid discovered?
Amateur astronomer Gennadiy Borisov discovered asteroid 2024 JN16 two days ago with the use of the MARGO Observatory in Nauchnij, Crimea.
Why is asteroid 2024 JN16 considered part of the Apollo asteroid group?
The space rock is part of the Apollo asteroid group whose orbit intersected with Earth’s orbit.
How close was asteroid 2024 JN16 to the moon’s orbit when it came close to Earth?
When it came close to Earth, 2024 JN16 was within the moon’s orbit and half as distant as the geostationary satellites from Earth.
Today's Current Affairs saw a car-sized asteroid narrowly miss Earth, coming within 11,500 miles of our planet on Tuesday morning. Discovered just two days prior by amateur astronomer Gennadiy Borisov, the asteroid, named 2024 JN16, is part of the Apollo asteroid group known for its intersecting orbit with Earth. This close encounter serves as a reminder of the potential risks posed by such cosmic objects, with more than 40 asteroids having been found to pass closer to Earth than the moon's orbit. Despite its proximity, the asteroid is now safely located in the constellation Serpens, over 186,400 miles away. As it glided past Earth, the asteroid shined brightly and was visible through telescopes, showcasing the wonders of our cosmic neighborhood.
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