A massive asteroid, dubbed the “Christmas Eve asteroid,” is set to skim past Earth on December 24 at an extraordinary speed of 14,743 mph. Confirmed by NASA’s Asteroid Watch dashboard, the space rock, officially named 2024 XN1, will make its closest approach at 2:56 a.m. GMT.

Size and potential impact

Measuring between 95 to 230 feet in diameter, the asteroid is comparable in size to an aeroplane. Experts estimate that if it were to collide with Earth, it would unleash a destructive force equivalent to 12 million tons of TNT. However, astronomers have assured that there is no risk of impact.

The asteroid will safely pass approximately 4.48 million miles (7.21 million kilometers) from Earth—a distance about 18 times greater than that between the Earth and the Moon.

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One of the largest asteroids in upcoming close approaches

Asteroid 2024 XN1 is the largest of the next five near-Earth objects (NEOs) expected to pass by in the coming days. Despite being classified as a “near miss” in astronomical terms, the asteroid poses no threat to the planet. NASA’s Asteroid Watch dashboard has been closely monitoring its trajectory to ensure public safety and awareness.

Discovery and tracking efforts

Discovered on December 12, the asteroid was identified through collaborative efforts between NASA and the European Space Agency’s planetary defense systems. After calculating its orbit, scientists classified it as a close approach since it would come within 4.65 million miles (7.5 million kilometers) of Earth.

This fly-by serves as a reminder of the importance of continuously monitoring near-Earth objects. The Asteroid Watch dashboard provides critical data on NEOs, including their size, distance, and closest approach dates, allowing the public to stay informed.

Comments from experts

Although 2024 XN1 garners significant attention due to its size, scientists have emphasized that none of the upcoming asteroids pose any danger to Earth. “These events highlight the importance of global efforts to monitor and understand objects that come close to our planet,” NASA noted.

As one of the largest asteroids set to approach this holiday season, 2024 XN1 adds to the growing database of celestial bodies that are tracked to ensure the planet’s safety from potential future threats.