NASA Alerts Public to Near-Earth Asteroid 2011 MW1 Approaching at High Speed

NASA has issued an alert for asteroid 2011 MW1, which is currently hurtling towards Earth at 28,946 km/h. This Apollo-class asteroid, approximately 380 feet in size, will make its closest approach on July 25, coming within about 2.4 million miles of Earth. Despite its proximity, NASA assures that it does not pose an imminent threat.

Classified as a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 2011 MW1 is not considered a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA). NASA has identified around 35,000 Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) to date, and while 2011 MW1 is significant in size, it is being closely monitored for safety.

Asteroids are remnants from the solar system’s formation and generally orbit the sun like planets, though they are much smaller. Many reside in the main asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars. As of July 2024, NASA’s JPL Solar System Dynamics website reports 1,385,217 known asteroids or minor planets.

NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) tracks and predicts the orbits and approaches of NEOs to Earth. Various observatories, including PAN-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, NASA’s NEOWISE mission, and the upcoming NEO Surveyor, contribute to this effort. Radar initiatives like the Goldstone Solar System Radar Group support NASA’s NEO Observations Program. Space agencies are also developing technologies, such as the DART mission, to counter potential threats from celestial bodies.

Through these monitoring efforts and technological advancements, NASA aims to detect and mitigate any potential threats from asteroids like 2011 MW1 well in advance.