Earth had a close encounter this morning when Asteroid 2019 OK sped by at a speed of nearly 55,000 miles per hour. The closest it came to Earth was just under 45,000 miles, much less than the distance between the Earth and Moon.

Astronomers only noticed the space rock within the past few days. Astronomers aren’t sure about its size, which ranges between 187 to 426 feet across.  

If 2019 OK had struck Earth, it could have delivered quite the blow to any city it struck. Experts suggested it would hit with some 30 times the power of the atomic bomb that destroyed Hiroshima.

187 to 426 feet across

Zarniwoop wrote:Experts suggested it would have improved Colchester.

Fangirl Three wrote:

187 to 426 feet across

Zarniwoop wrote:Experts suggested it would have improved Colchester.

It's just the right size to replace Firstsite.

Zarniwoop wrote:

Fangirl Three wrote:

187 to 426 feet across

Zarniwoop wrote:Experts suggested it would have improved Colchester.

It's just the right size to replace Firstsite.

If they directed it to land at the Ipswich rd roundabout it could save a years roadworks.

The first, the 525-foot wide 2021 SM3, will whiz past Earth on October 15.

Seven larger asteroids are predicted to pass close by Earth before the end of November, the biggest of which, 2004 UE, has a diameter of 1,246 feet.

At 2.1 million miles, asteroid 1996 VB3, will pass closest to Earth on October 20.

Scientists say that, although very close by interstellar standards, none of the asteroids will be visible without a telescope.

The Call of the Wendigo wrote:At 2.1 million miles, asteroid 1996 VB3, will pass closest to Earth on October 20.

Scientists say that, although very close by interstellar standards

A giant asteroid, bigger than any building on Earth, is expected to soar past the planet on Tuesday.

Called 7482 (1994 PC1), the asteroid is more than a kilometre wide at 1,052m (3,451ft).

Its size means it is bigger than the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which, at 830m (2,723ft), is the world’s tallest building.

...at its closest will pass more than five times the moon’s distance from the planet.

Fangirl Three wrote:That's like missing a football by 33 metres.