'12 mn tons of TNT heading your way': 10-storey asteroid at 14,743 mph to brush Earth on Dec 24
Produced by: Manoj Kumar
Festive Warning
NASA has confirmed a 10-story asteroid will skim past Earth at 14,743 mph on Christmas Eve, a stark reminder of space hazards.
Near Miss
Asteroid 2024 XN1, measuring up to 230 feet, will pass within 4.48 million miles of Earth—close by astronomical standards.
Massive Force
If it were to collide, the impact would release energy equivalent to 12 million tons of TNT, flattening 700 square miles.
Tunguska Comparison
Astronomer Jess Lee compared it to the Tunguska Event of 1908, where a similar-sized asteroid leveled 80 million trees in Siberia.
Tracking Systems
Discovered on December 12 by NASA and ESA, the asteroid was labeled a "close approach," though collision risk is zero.
Future Visits
After this year’s pass, the asteroid will return closer in 2032 and make its nearest approach in 2106 at just 2.11 million miles.
Invisible Threat
Despite its size, 2024 XN1 won’t be visible even with amateur telescopes, highlighting the importance of advanced monitoring.
Global Defence
NASA’s DART mission demonstrated asteroid deflection capabilities, marking progress in planetary defense strategies.
Cosmic Reminder
Asteroid flybys, though harmless this time, are a sobering reminder of Earth’s vulnerability to space impacts.