Introduction

This Wednesday, brace yourself for an awe-inspiring astronomical event as a "potentially hazardous" asteroid the size of a pyramid whizzes past Earth at a staggering 48,000 mph (77,300 km/h). Mark your calendars, because asteroid 2014 TN17 is making its closest approach to our planet in more than 100 years, although experts assure us it poses no risk of collision now or anytime soon.

Details of the Flyby

On March 26, at approximately 7:30 a.m. ET, this colossal space rock will glide within 3.2 million miles (5.1 million kilometers) of Earth—about 13 times farther than the moon’s average distance. According to data from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), this flyby is the closest calculated from nearly 300 years of simulations that tracked its trajectories from 1906 to 2200.

Size and Hazards

Measuring about 540 feet (165 meters) across, asteroid 2014 TN17 is astonishingly larger than the Great Pyramid of Giza. While this size could spell disaster for a city if it were to strike Earth, NASA categorizes it as "potentially hazardous" not because it poses an immediate threat, but due to its significant size and its occasional close approaches to our planet.

Observational Opportunities

For those hoping to catch a glimpse of this celestial giant, unfortunately, it won't be visible through backyard telescopes or binoculars during the flyby. However, researchers are planning to study 2014 TN17 using NASA's Goldstone Solar System Radar (GSSR) in California. This advanced radar has previously uncovered unusual features of other asteroids, such as the “snowman” shape of one, and even detected mini-moons orbiting others. The insights gained from observing 2014 TN17 could be equally thrilling!

Potentially Hazardous Asteroids

As of now, the cosmos is crowded with about 2,500 known potentially hazardous asteroids, according to the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center. Fortunately, none are on a collision course with Earth in the foreseeable future. However, some asteroids are slated for significant near-misses.

Other Asteroids of Interest

One of those is the infamous asteroid 2024 YR4, which made headlines when its impact odds surged to 3.1% for a potential collision with Earth in 2032. Thankfully, those odds have now dropped to zero, but it still may pose a risk to the moon.

Meanwhile, the "god of chaos" asteroid Apophis is scheduled for a close encounter in 2029, coming nearer than some of our satellites! Current assessments reveal zero risk of impact, but a small factor remains—if its trajectory is altered by another celestial body, who knows what could happen in the following years? Experts deem this scenario unlikely, but space remains a realm of uncertainty.

Conclusion

Stay tuned for more thrilling updates as we continue to explore the wonders of our universe and keep an eye on any more remarkable near-misses that could pique your interest!