On September 17, 2024, an enchanting asteroid named 2024 ON zipped previous Earth, providing scientists a uncommon view of a snowman-shaped area rock. Whereas the thing was categorised as a doubtlessly hazardous asteroid attributable to its proximity to our planet, it posed no rapid risk and handed safely at a distance of 620,000 miles.
Radar photos captured by NASA’s Goldstone Photo voltaic System Radar in California revealed the asteroid’s distinctive construction. The asteroid, roughly 1,150 toes (350 meters) lengthy, consists of two distinct lobes, with one lobe being about 50% bigger than the opposite. This uncommon form, resembling a snowman, is named a “contact binary” — a phenomenon that happens when two smaller asteroids merge attributable to gravitational forces.
A Excessive-Pace Journey
Asteroid 2024 ON travelled at a staggering pace of 19,842 mph (31,933 kph) because it handed Earth, about 26 occasions the pace of sound. Regardless of its measurement and pace, the asteroid posed no threat to our planet, passing over 2.5 occasions the gap between Earth and the moon.
Though categorised as doubtlessly hazardous, current measurements have allowed scientists to foretell the asteroid’s future trajectory with excessive accuracy. Consequently, 2024 ON isn’t anticipated to pose any hazard to Earth for a lot of many years, providing reassurance regardless of its hazardous label.
The Prevalence of Contact Binary Asteroids
Asteroids like 2024 ON, often known as contact binaries, make up an estimated 14% of near-Earth asteroids bigger than 660 toes (200 meters). One of the well-known contact binaries is Selam, a small moonlet orbiting the asteroid Dinkinesh. Such asteroids present helpful insights into the formation and evolution of celestial our bodies inside our photo voltaic system.
As area companies proceed to look at near-Earth objects, radar and different monitoring applied sciences permit for higher predictions and understandings of their behaviour. In reality, 2024 has seen greater than 60 asteroids move between Earth and the moon, because of elevated observational efforts utilizing AI-powered algorithms.
Whereas asteroid 2024 ON’s current go to sparked curiosity attributable to its snowman-like look, it serves as a reminder of the significance of ongoing asteroid monitoring. Thankfully, with no rapid risk, we are able to respect the cosmic magnificence and scientific insights it gives with out fear for Earth’s security.