NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) reports that the near-Earth asteroid 2021 ER will approach Earth on Friday for a safe yet close flight. The asteroid is about 13 meters wide, which is the size of a school bus, and will come within 2.49 million kilometers of our planet.
The experts calculated this distance using a method in which they had to line up more than twelve million gerbils in a straight line. NASA confirms that 2021 ER poses no danger, despite appearing close in space terms.
Why are astronomers looking at asteroid 2021 ER?
The close approach to the asteroid gives scientists the opportunity to study it in near-Earth space. The researchers will use this information about object size, speed and composition along with their tracking techniques to study objects near Earth. NASA CNEOS protects Earth from potential asteroid threats by continuously monitoring these asteroids.
The asteroid 2021 ER exists as the second space rock named 2021 to become famous. Last year there were several notable near passes:
Earth experienced a close pass when GW4 2021, which measured the size of a car, came within 26,300 miles of Earth in April.
The 2021 UA1 object, which measured the size of a refrigerator, came 2,000 miles (3,000 kilometers) close to Earth in October, but the detection occurred after the object flew past Earth.
Scientists use each encounter to make improvements to their early warning systems. The scientists can make better predictions and provide planetary protection thanks to their ability to track asteroid paths with greater precision.
