New Delhi:
An enormous asteroid (space rock) identified as 2019 VF1 is all set to come dangerously close to Earth on November 25 at around 9.40 AM (IST). The space rock measures up to 492 feet in diameter and is officially designated as a "near-Earth object". If hits the Earth, asteroid 2019 VF1 can cause a significant amount of damage and mass extinction.
Asteroid 2019 VF1, which was first discovered this year, will be traveling towards Earth at a staggering 38,498mph i.e. about 63 times faster than the top speed of a Boeing 747 jet. Fortunately, this gigantic space rock will pass Earth with a very wide berth. It is expected that the asteroid will no closer than 3,172,582 miles (5,105,776km). It is the distance about 13 times farther from Earth than the Moon.
It is to be noted that asteroids, if hit Earth, can bring tsunamis, shock waves and flattening winds that could be catastrophic. The space rocks approach towards the Earth due to the gravitational forces that affect them. It is said that one day all life on the Earth will be extinct. Not only life, but the Earth will also extinct someday and an asteroid could be the possible reason. Shocked to hear that? However, a car-sized asteroid slams into the Earth's atmosphere about once in a year. On the other hand, an asteroid large enough to threaten the existence of life on Earth arrives once every few million.
Also Read: Less Than 24-Hours To Go: Earth To Have Close Encounter With Asteroid 2006 SF6, Might Get Hit
On December 20, a mammoth asteroid (space rock) identified as 216258 (2006 WH1) will come dangerously close to Earth at a staggering speed of 26,843 miles per hour. The 540-metre space rock is the same size as the World Trade Centre and would cause a significant amount of damage and mass extinction if hits Earth.
