Theasteroid 2005 YU55, which in its day was described as a threat to the Earth,will pass 324,600 kilometers from the planet on November 8. According to experts, there is no danger of collision. However, since it is a very short distance, closer than the orbit of the Moon, NASA has announced it will follow the trajectory of the body until it moves away.
As explained by the US space agency, the tracking of the asteroid, which is 400 meters in diameter, the same size as an aircraft carrier, will be carried out from thered de radiotelescopios Deep Space located in Goldstone (California) andfrom the Arecibo radar(Puerto Rico). The “mission” will begin on November 4 and end on November 10.
NASA scientists have pointed out that this experience may be interesting to study the rocky body, taking advantage of its proximity to Earth. In addition, they have explained that the gravitational influence of the asteroid “will not have any detectable effect on the planet.” In this sense, he has described as “false” the rumors that spoke of changes in the tides or in the tectonic plate system.
The orbit of the asteroid2005 YU55 makes it pass close to Earth, Venus and Mars, however, this meeting is the closest that this space rock has starred in the last 200 years, NASA has assured. Scientists intend to obtain images of its surface with a resolution of 2 meters per pixel, which will provide information on its physical properties. As you know by now, the asteroid is more or less spherical and rotates slowly, completing one revolution on itself every 18 hours.
Scientists have explained thatthe last time an asteroid of this size got this close to Earth was in 1976and the next approximation will take place in the year 2028.
