On July 23, 2024, NASA is monitoring two significant asteroids passing near Earth. These asteroids, designated (2024 LY2) and (2024 NH), are categorized as building-sized and airplane-sized, respectively.
Building-Size Asteroid (2024 LY2) Size: Approximately 290 feet (88 meters) in diameter -Closest Approach: 2,850,000 miles (4,587,454 kilometers)
Asteroid (2024 LY2), comparable in size to a large building, will come closest to Earth at a distance of 2,850,000 miles—about 12 times the average distance from Earth to the Moon. Although this distance is significant, it is considered a close pass in astronomical terms. Scientists are closely monitoring (2024 LY2) to ensure it does not pose a threat.
Airplane-Size Asteroid (2024 NH) Size: Approximately 92 feet (28 meters) in diameter Closest Approach: 3,130,000 miles (5,038,865 kilometers)
The second asteroid, (2024 NH), is about the size of a commercial airplane. It will pass slightly farther from Earth than (2024 LY2), with a closest approach of 3,130,000 miles. Despite its smaller size, its proximity offers a valuable opportunity for observation and study.
Both asteroids are under surveillance by NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), which has confirmed that neither (2024 LY2) nor (2024 NH) poses any risk of collision with Earth. These close approaches provide astronomers with a chance to gather important data on the asteroids’ orbits, compositions, and physical characteristics without any threat to our planet.
