NASA warns that massive asteroid is headed towards Earth – but there’s no need to panic

The rock, named 4660 Nereus. will pass earth on 11 December

Graeme Massie
Los Angeles
Sunday 07 November 2021 17:15 GMT
Comments
NASA to deflect asteroid in test of 'planetary defence'

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An asteroid the size of the Eiffel Tower is heading for Earth in December, according to NASA.

But there is no need to panic, as the US space agency’s asteroid tracker says that “potentially hazardous” rock will only pass within 2.4m miles of Earth on 11 December.

Although the 330m wide asteroid, which is named “4660 Nereus”, is unlikely to pose any threat, it is predicted to make 12 more close passes in the coming decades.

The closest approach the egg-shaped asteroid will make is predicted to be 14 February, 2060, when it will be just under 745,645 miles away.

For comparison, the distance between the Earth and the Moon is around 239,000 miles.

The asteroid was first discovered by scientists in 1982, and because of its close orbit to Earth it is potentially accessible by spacecraft.

There are not currently any planned expeditions to explore the asteroid but it has been considered.

NASA’s Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous-Shoemaker (NEAR) robotic mission and the Japanese Hayabusa mission both considered Nereus as targets, before choosing other options.

Three countries have previously landed spacecraft on asteroids and they are considered targets for future mining operations.

Last month the United Arab Emirates announced plans for missions to explore asteroids, and would become the first Arab country to do so.

Their missions is scheduled to start in 2028 and will include exploration of seven asteroids as well as Venus, culminating with a 2033 asteroid landing.

It is not unusual for large asteroids to pass close to Earth.

In March a rock the size of the Golden Gate Bridge came within 1.25m miles of Earth.

NASA classifies asteroids as “potentially hazardous” when they come within 4.65m miles of Earth and are larger than 500ft in diameter.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in