A massive asteroid nicknamed ‘The Rock‘ after wrestler-actor Dwayne Johsnon is set to make its closest pass to Earth in 400 years. The asteroid is estimated to be traveling through space at a speed of about 33 meters per second. ‘The Rock’ is between 650 meters and 1.4 kilometers in length.
On April 19, The Rock will make its closest approach to Earth in 400 years. The asteroid will not come this close to Earth for another 500 years at least, as per experts.
It first came to notice in 2014 – The Rock is officially called 2014 JO25 – when astronomers observed it by the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona in the US.
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Asteroid of this size has never come this close to Earth. Experts are ruling out the possibility of The Rock colliding with our planet. Small asteroid pass within this distance of Earth several times each week.
In September 2004, asteroid Toutatis, a 3.1-mile asteroid came about four lunar distances to Earth.
Slow, the Robotic telescope service said The Rock’s close encounter with Earth this week is an “alarming reminder” of just how close these destructive chunks of space debris come close to Earth on an almost daily basis. “Even a 30 metre sized asteroid can cause significant damage,” they were quoted as saying.
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NASA has called this an “outstanding opportunity” for astronomers and amateur stargazers. The asteroid should be visible with a small optical telescope for one or two nights before it moves out of range.