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As big as the Eiffel Tower: Giant asteroid 4660 Nereus is racing towards earth

2021-11-11T04:26:02.470Z


An asteroid several hundred meters in size is currently on its way to Earth - you don't have to worry, a mind game is still possible.


An asteroid several hundred meters in size is currently on its way to Earth - you don't have to worry, a mind game is still possible.

Washington DC - "4660 Nereus" is the name of the cosmic impetus that is currently on its way towards earth.

With a size of over 300 meters, the asteroid competes with the French Eiffel Tower.

But the boulder is not unknown, because its trajectory brings the asteroid close to our planet again and again.

"4660 Nereus": Asteroid is hurtling towards earth

According to NASA, on December 11th it should be that time again: On this day, the rock will approach the earth up to 3.9 million kilometers.

That sounds like a lot in earthly terms, but in astronomical units it is not that much.

Venus, the planet closest to Earth, is 38.3 million kilometers away in the shortest distance.

The moon, on the other hand, is only about 400,000 kilometers away from the earth.

In 2060, the asteroid should come so close to our planet that NASA is even considering taking the chance and shooting a probe at the celestial body, according to various media reports.

The asteroid will also approach Earth in 2031 and 2050.

NASA is alerted: "4660 Nereus" on course to earth

Even if the 4660 Nereus does not miss Christmas this year, it is interesting to know what such an impact will bring.

Because an impact of an asteroid of this size not only brings with it a huge crater, but also an enormous roller of fire.

Environmental disasters such as tidal waves and earthquakes are also possible.

In addition, the impact throws up so much dust and other material that the sun would be darkened for weeks.

Another Apollo asteroid came particularly close to Earth at the end of August, and NASA had its eye on it early on.

Source: merkur

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