Watch the Astounding Celestial Event Live
According to Live Science, this week, a mountain-size asteroid known as 2011 UL21 will make a remarkably close pass by Earth, coming within 5 million miles of our planet on June 27. This rare event marks one of the closest approaches by such a large space rock in the last 125 years.
At a speed of approximately 58,000 mph (93,000 km/h), this asteroid’s flyby is a significant event for astronomers and space enthusiasts alike. Here’s how you can witness this close encounter live or view it with a telescope.
A Closer Look at 2011 UL21
Asteroid 2011 UL21, categorized as a “potentially hazardous” near-Earth object, is one of the largest asteroids to approach our planet closely in more than a century.
Near-Earth asteroids are those whose orbits bring them within 1.3 astronomical units (AU) of the sun, which is about 1.3 times the average distance between Earth and the sun. This particular asteroid completes its orbit around the sun once every three years.
According to SpaceReference.org, 2011 UL21 is estimated to be between 1.1 and 2.4 miles (1.7 to 3.9 kilometers) wide. This size places it among the top 1% of known near-Earth asteroids, as noted by the European Space Agency (ESA).
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Despite its significant size, it is much smaller than the largest space rocks that have impacted Earth in the past, such as the Vredefort asteroid and the asteroid that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Potential Impact and Hazard Assessment
While 2011 UL21 is not on a collision course with Earth, its size and proximity classify it as a “planet killer.” If it were to impact Earth, it could cause substantial regional damage and potentially trigger climate changes due to the debris ejected into the atmosphere.
Fortunately, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) simulations confirm that there is no threat to Earth from this asteroid either now or in the foreseeable future.
On June 27, the asteroid will pass Earth at a distance of about 4.1 million miles (6.6 million kilometers). Although this is significantly closer than it has been for at least 110 years, it is still about 17 times the distance between Earth and the moon.
Despite this, the approach is noteworthy because it is one of the ten largest asteroids to come within 4.7 million miles (7.5 million kilometers) of Earth since 1900.
How to Watch the Event Live
Astrophysics enthusiasts and curious observers can watch the close approach of 2011 UL21 via a free livestream provided by the Virtual Telescope Project (VTP).
The VTP, led by astrophysicist Gianluca Masi, will broadcast the event from the Bellatrix Astronomical Observatory in Ceccano, Italy. The livestream begins at 4 p.m. ET on June 27, with the closest approach expected to occur about 15 minutes later.
Viewing the Asteroid with a Telescope
For those equipped with a decent telescope, there is a chance to spot the asteroid in the night sky. 2011 UL21 will be at its brightest on June 28 and June 29, visible from the Northern Hemisphere.
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Its brightness will be comparable to that of Proxima Centauri, the closest known star to the sun. Knowing where to look in the sky can provide a spectacular view of this significant celestial event.
Future Close Approaches
After this week’s close encounter, 2011 UL21 will not come as close to Earth again until 2089. At that time, it is projected to approach within 1.7 million miles (2.7 million kilometers) of our planet, which is more than two and a half times closer than the current flyby.
This week’s event offers a unique opportunity to observe a significant near-Earth asteroid safely passing by our planet. Whether through a live stream or a telescope, witnessing 2011 UL21’s close approach is a reminder of the dynamic and ever-changing nature of our solar system.