Giant Asteroid Approaching Earth

In an astronomical event that you won’t want to miss, a colossal asteroid akin to the size of a football stadium is hurtling towards Earth and will make its closest-ever recorded approach tonight, December 4th.

This massive space rock, named 2020 XR, travels at an astonishing speed of approximately 27,500 miles per hour (44,300 kilometers per hour). It will come within a mere 1.37 million miles (2.2 million kilometers) of our planet at 0:27 ET. According to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), this flyby marks the closest encounter we've ever had with this particular asteroid.

Watch the Flyby Live

For astronomy enthusiasts and casual observers alike, there's good news! You can witness this historic flyby live through a free webcast hosted by the Virtual Telescope Project (VTP), kicking off at 13:30 ET today. For those equipped with an 8-inch (20 cm) telescope, you’ll also get a spectacular glimpse of 2020 XR in real time.

Understanding Near-Earth Objects

As classified by NASA, 2020 XR is a Near-Earth Object (NEO). This category includes any object whose orbit can bring it within 1.3 astronomical units of the Sun—approximately 1.3 times the distance between Earth and the Sun itself. Asteroids meeting the criteria of being larger than 500 feet (approximately 150 meters) in diameter and coming within 4.65 million miles (7.5 million km) of Earth are deemed “potentially hazardous.” Not to worry, though; tonight’s flyby poses no danger to our planet!

No Danger of Impact

Juan Luis Cano, coordinator at the European Space Agency's Near-Earth Object Coordination Center, revealed that when 2020 XR was first spotted, there was some concern about a possible impact in 2028. However, further observation and analysis of its trajectory have shown that this concern was unfounded.

Size and Historical Context

Measuring around 1,200 feet (366 meters) in diameter, 2020 XR is substantial enough to potentially obliterate a small city upon impact. Interestingly, this asteroid last made a close approach to Earth in 1977, but it did so from a much greater distance—about 10 million miles (16 million km) farther away than what we expect tonight.

Future Flybys

If you miss this encounter, don't fret! While 2020 XR won't make another visit this close until at least 2196, it is forecasted to fly past again in November 2028—though at a much safer distance of approximately 11.3 million miles (18.2 million km).

Tune in for the Event!

Get ready for a night of cosmic wonder and don’t forget to tune in for the livestream. Who knows what insights we might gain from watching this giant rock zip by!