An asteroid is set to come within a safe viewing distance of Earth on Monday, and although the chances of it hitting us are astronomically remote, its size is giving space enthusiasts something to marvel at all the same.
The asteroid, called 2004 BL86, will be approximately 745,000 miles from Earth at its closest point in the rendezvous. It’s as long as five football fields, but despite what you might imagine, it’s nothing to worry about, according to NASA. In fact, the asteroid is proving to be a great learning opportunity for the American space agency.
“Monday, January 26 will be the closest asteroid 2004 BL86, which was first discovered in 2004, will get to Earth for at least the next 200 years,” said Don Yeomans, the manager of NASA’s Near Earth Object Program Office. “And while it poses no threat to Earth for the foreseeable future, it’s a relatively close approach by a relatively large asteroid, so it provides us a unique opportunity to observe and learn more.”
#Asteroid 2004 BL86 will safely pass Earth on Jan 26 by 745,000 mi/1.2 million km http://t.co/z1ZoGXW0T2 pic.twitter.com/QwvKesPh0n
— NASA Asteroid Watch (@AsteroidWatch) January 14, 2015
In fact, 2004 BL86 is the last asteroid that will zoom anywhere near Earth for the next 12 years; after its passage, we’ll have to wait for 1999 AN10 in 2027.
2004 BL86 will be closest to Earth at approximately 11:19am EST, but it will be brightest later on Monday, between 11:07pm and 11:52pm EST.
Where to find the asteroid and thanks RT @Jones4Andrew: @VirtualAstro pic.twitter.com/Xzp0mPA839
— VirtualAstro (@VirtualAstro) January 25, 2015
If you have a small telescope or strong binoculars, you might even be able to spot the asteroid outside. If the skies are too cloudy or polluted with light, you can watch a livestream from Slooh.Photo via Beth Scupham/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
