The 5 asteroids that are closest to Earth, according to NASA

Young Venezuelan discovers asteroid with NASA 0:44

(CNN Spanish) --

Although there are currently no asteroids that are on a direct impact course with Earth, there is a large population of asteroids close to our planet.

To be exact, there are more than 28,000 asteroids of all shapes and sizes, according to the most recent data from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

"Most NEOs have orbits that don't bring them very close to Earth and therefore pose no impact risk, but a small fraction of them, called potentially hazardous asteroids, require more attention," he says. JPL.

• A "small" asteroid hits Earth and tests an early warning system

When an object of more than 140 meters in size with orbits that bring them closer to 7.5 million kilometers —19.5 times the distance to the Moon— of the Earth's orbit around the Sun. That is when it is called a potentially dangerous object, according to JPL.

Just for context, the average distance between the Earth and the Moon is about 385,000 kilometers.

The Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) is in charge of characterizing the orbits of all near-Earth objects, predicting their approach and carrying out risk assessments with the support of the Coordination Office Planetary Defense.

CNEOS continuously monitors all near-Earth objects to assess any impact risk they may present.

Detecting the threat of near-Earth objects (known as NEOs) that could cause serious damage is a primary focus of NASA and other space organizations around the world.

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JPL has a list of asteroids that are close to passing by the Earth.

The first of them —which is the size of a bridge— is very close to arriving.

These are the five closest asteroids:

Asteroid: 418135 (2008 AG33)

Day it will pass close to Earth: April 28, 2022

Approximate size: 457 meters

Distance from Earth: 3,240,000 kilometers

Asteroid: (2022 HX1)

Day it will pass close to Earth: April 30, 2022

Approximate size: 14 meters

Distance from Earth: 2,490,000 kilometers

Asteroid: (2022HS)

Day it will pass close to Earth: May 1, 2022

Approximate size: 19 meters

Distance from Earth: 2,550,000 kilometers

Asteroid: (2017 XO2)

Day it will pass close to Earth: May 1, 2022

Approximate size: 119 meters

Distance from Earth: 7,270,000 kilometers

Asteroid: (2022 HA2)

Day it will pass close to Earth: May 1, 2022

Approximate size: 37 meters

Distance from Earth: 4,620,000 kilometers

Could an asteroid hit Earth?

First photos of the DART mission that will hit an asteroid 1:00

With asteroids there is almost always a chance that one will collide with Earth.

That's why NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office keeps an eye on objects in space that could harm the planet.

One of the organization's latest efforts is NASA's DART, or Double Asteroid Redirection Test, mission, which will test whether an asteroid can change its direction and speed upon impact, which could be applied in the future to objects involving a threat to Earth, according to the agency.

"DART is turning science fiction into science fact and is a testament to NASA's proactivity and innovation for the benefit of all," NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement.

“In addition to all the ways that NASA studies our universe and our home planet, we are also working to protect that home, and this test will help demonstrate a viable way to protect our planet from a dangerous asteroid should it be discovered. one heading towards Earth.

Near-Earth objects are asteroids and comets with orbits that place them within 30 million miles of Earth.

Detecting the threat of near-Earth objects, or NEOs, that could cause serious damage is a primary focus of NASA and other space organizations around the world.

CNN's Ashley Strickland and Megan Marples contributed to this report.

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