I have posted about astronomical “buzz cuts” before, but this one takes it to a new level. Asteroid 2020 SW is about to get really, really close to Earth.
According to NASA, an asteroid will pass between the Earth and the Moon during the next 24 hours. The large piece of Space Rock is about 5-to-10 meters in length, about the size of a school bus. There is a reasonable chance it is about the same size as the meteor that exploded over Russia a few years ago.
Here is a quick video about that event:
In the situation occurring during the next 24 hours, the asteroid shouldn’t get close enough to fall through the atmosphere. Astrophysicists and Astronomers suggests this one will come within 40,000km of Earth, though.
That is about 25,000 miles.
For a frame of reference, the GOES-16 weather satellite, orbits at about 22,000 miles.
You won’t likely be able to see this thing, as it is too far away and too small. Although, just for a moment, imagine being able to see a school bus 20,000 miles away, how awesome would that be!
This asteroid will pass the Earth and keep on going. It orbits in roughly the same region as the Earth, but will not come this close again for a very long time. The next time it will be within 6 million miles will be in 2065.
