An asteroid will safely fly over the Earth about 2 million kilometers away on March 21

An asteroid will fly safely over the Earth on March 21

　　Approximately 2 million kilometers apart, providing unique observation opportunities

　　Science and Technology Daily, Beijing, March 17 (Reporter Liu Xia) According to a recent report by the physicist organization network, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recently stated that on March 21, the asteroid 2001 FO32 will be about 2 million kilometers away from the earth. In the place where the “closest contact” with the earth takes place, this provides astronomers with valuable observation opportunities, enabling them to observe up close an asteroid formed at the beginning of the solar system.

　　According to NASA, 2001 FO32 is the largest asteroid that has swept the Earth this year, with a diameter of about 3,000 feet (914 meters).

Scientists discovered this asteroid 20 years ago.

Paul Jordas, director of the Near-Earth Object Research Center, said: "After years of continuous observation, we know exactly the orbit of 2001 FO32 around the sun. The results show that it will not collide with the earth now and in the next few hundred years. ."

　　It is reported that when 2001 FO32 was closest to the earth, the distance between the two was about 2 million kilometers. Although this distance was about 5.25 times the distance between the earth and the moon, it was enough to make 2001 FO32 among the "potentially dangerous asteroids". .

　　NASA said that by then, 2001 FO32 will pass at 113,000 kilometers per hour, which is faster than most asteroids approaching the Earth.

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory chief scientist Lance Benner said: "At present, people know very little about this asteroid, so this close encounter provides an excellent opportunity to learn more about this asteroid."

　　Astronomers hope that by studying the light reflected from the surface of the asteroid, they can better understand the size of the asteroid and have a general understanding of its composition.

NASA explained: "When sunlight hits the surface of an asteroid, the minerals in the rock absorb some wavelengths and reflect other wavelengths at the same time. By studying the spectra reflected by the asteroid's surface, astronomers can measure the chemical'fingerprints' of the minerals on the asteroid's surface. ."

　　NASA said that among all the near-Earth asteroids not less than 2001 FO32, they have classified 95% of them. Research shows that none of them will collide with the Earth.

　　After flying by the earth, 2001 FO32 will continue its lonely journey until it approaches the earth again in 2052, when the closest distance between it and the earth is 2.8 million kilometers.