Huge asteroid labelled 'hazardous' coming close to Earth tomorrow, November 1

Asteroid labelled 'potentially dangerous' to pass by Earth tomorrow 1 November
© Science Photo Library - ANDRZEJ WOJCICKI
Asteroid labelled 'potentially dangerous' to pass by Earth tomorrow 1 November
More under this ad

Asteroids zip past our planet all the time. Another one is heading our way on 1 November and here's what we know about it.

Thanks to NASA, we've gotten a closer look at the space objects that interact with our planet and make up the cosmos in great detail. Their extraordinary technology helps us to know when the Earth is vulnerable to danger and when a space rock is nothing more than a rock flying in outer space.

Discover our latest podcast

But on 1 November, an asteroid that has been officially labelled as 'potentially hazardous' will zip past Earth—what does this mean and should we be worried?

More under this ad
More under this ad

2022 RM4, a threat?

thumbnail
JUAN GARTNER/GETTY IMAGES

Now, NASA labels space objects as 'potentially hazardous' if it comes within 4.65 miles of Earth. The asteroid visiting our periphery tomorrow has been named 2022 RM4 and according to Live Science it will come within 1.43 million miles of Earth, 'at its closest approach'.

More under this ad
More under this ad

The likelihood that it will do any damage to our planet remains very low, but it is important to note that any asteroid with this classification is being closely watched. NASA states on its website:

The majority of near-Earth objects have orbits that don’t bring them very close to Earth, and therefore pose no risk of impact, but a small fraction of them – called potentially hazardous asteroids – require more attention.
More under this ad
More under this ad
CNEOS continuously monitors all known near-Earth objects to assess any impact risk they may pose.

'Monstrous' asteroid

The asteroid is being called 'monstrous' because it is considered to be almost as tall as the Burj Khalifa and apparently has an estimated diameter of 1,083 to 2,428 feet.

More under this ad
More under this ad

Earlier this year, an asteroid five times the size of the Empire State Building grazed past the Earth as well. Known as Asteroid 7335, it is expected to be the largest asteroid to come close to the blue planet in 2022 and will likely remain unrivalled this year.

Sources used:

- New York Post: 'Monstrous asteroid to speed by Earth next week'

- Live Science: 'A monstrously large, 'potentially hazardous' asteroid will zip through Earth's orbit on Halloween'

- NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory

More under this ad