Any near-Earth object that approaches within 7.5 million kilometers of Earth and whose diameter is greater than 150 meters is considered “potentially dangerous”. Asteroid 2020 XR, which is about to pass close to Earth at dawn tomorrow morning, falls into this category. It measures between 300 and 700 meters in diameter.
But let's say it straight away, there is absolutely no risk of impact with our planet. According to information shared by Esa and NASA, 2020 XR will pass “closest” to 2.2 million kilometers from Earth, or 5.7 times the distance that separates our planet from the Moon. The most surprising thing is that we can even follow the visit of this asteroid live.
How to watch Asteroid 2020 XR pass live
The flyby of asteroid 2020 XR can be followed live and free thanks to the broadcast of the Virtual Telescope Project (VTP). The broadcast begins this evening from 8 p.m. The closest passage to Earth will take place tomorrow at dawn, around 6:26 a.m.
Nothing to worry about for the next 100 years
Esa specifies that the near-Earth will also be observable with 8-inch (20-centimeter) telescopes.
« When astronomers discovered 2020 XR exactly four years ago, they briefly thought it had a small chance of colliding with Earth in 2028 », Reveals Juan Luis Cano, from the Esa near-Earth object coordination center. “ But by looking at older observations of the sky, they spotted the asteroid in existing data and used this additional information to more precisely calculate its orbit around the Sun and rule out any risk of impact with Earth for at least the next 100 years. »
2020 XR is not expected to come this close to Earth again until at least the year 2196. But by then, it will cross our planet again. The next flyby is planned for November 2028, but at a much greater minimum distance, estimated at 18.2 million kilometers.
