Closer than the moon: Asteroid to speed by Earth tonight

Closer than the moon
Asteroid to speed by Earth tonight

We are set to see a close encounter this evening as Asteroid 2023 DZ2 passes by.

An asteroid is set to speed by Earth closer than the moon orbits the planet tonight.

Asteroid 2023 DZ2 was only discovered last month by astronomers in La Palma in the Canary Islands, scientists estimate that its size is between 140 feet and 310 feet. For context, the Statue of Liberty is 305 feet tall.

This evening, the rock will pass the planet at a distance of around 100,000 miles. The moon typically orbits from a distance of 238,855 miles according to NASA.

Asteroid 2023 DZ2, centre, seen around 1.1 million miles from Earth on Thursday. - © picture alliance

The short distance means this asteroid is designated as a Near Earth Object and will return in 2026 with an orbit around the sun taking 3.16 years.

Unfortunately, the asteroid will not be bright enough to spot with the naked eye.

Asteroid, comet, meteor, or meteorite?

Asteroids are composed of rock and orbit the sun, comets are blocks of ice. An object that enters our atmosphere is a meteor and if a meteor makes it to ground it becomes a meteorite.

Moving at an estimated 17,000 miles per hour, telescope viewers in Europe and Asia will be able to spot it. The U.S. will be in daylight when it passes by.

The expected path of the asteroid, falling within the orbit of the moon. - © NASA/JPL-Caltech

It was initially thought that the newly discovered asteroid would pose a risk of planetary impact in 2026 although this is no longer likely based on new observations.

Keep an eye on visibility near you on the WeatherRadar.