Bridge-sized asteroid to approach Earth

 Bridge-sized asteroid to approach Earth at 5.5 million kilometres away

An asteroid is a small, rocky object that orbits the Sun in our solar system. These objects are remnants from the early formation of the solar system about 4.6 billion years ago. Most asteroids are found in the asteroid belt, a region located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Asteroids in space move at high speeds, and their vast distances often require specialised instruments for clear observation.

The colossal asteroid, named "Asteroid 2001 QQ142," is expected to pass by Earth soon, although it will not come as close as our moon, which is approximately 384,000 kilometres away. This significant asteroid is projected to pass by Earth at a distance of 5.5 million kilometres on December 7. It orbits the sun at an astonishing speed of 23,975 kilometres per hour, surpassing the velocity of Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs). These near-Earth asteroids belong to the Apollo group- a group of asteroids whose semi-major axis is larger than Earth. They were named after the 1862 Apollo asteroid, discovered by German astronomer Karl Reinmuth in the 1930s.

Measuring 2200 feet in width, equivalent to the size of a large bridge, this asteroid has been classified as a Potentially Hazardous Object by NASA's Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). Therefore, the asteroid could pose a risk to Earth and cause significant damage if it collides with our planet. Although Asteroid 2001 QQ142 is not a newcomer, as it passed by Earth in 1901 at a distance of 72 million kilometres, it will make its next approach on January 18, 2029, at a distance of 68 million kilometres.

Despite the potential threats these asteroids pose to life on Earth, their impacts have shaped history, from the extinction of dinosaurs to altering Earth's rotation speed. Tracking and informing the public about their close approaches remain important for knowledge purpose.