Asteroids are relatively small, space rocks left by the solar system’s formation about 4.5 billion years ago. They typically orbit the sun. And are located in a belt with thousands of asteroids and comets. Most asteroid activity is outside the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
They are composed of a variety of rocks. And they all have distinct differences in size, shape and substance. Comets are icy space rocks which are trailed by fiery appearing tails.
In March 2021, another massive asteroid, Apophis, which measured over three hundred feet in circumference, passed 10.4 million miles from the Earth. That’s almost 44 times as far away as the moon.
Then back in July, the asteroid “2008Go20,” sped past Earth at 18,000 miles per hour. That asteroid was estimated to be about the size of a football stadium.
Skywatchers may be able to see the light show with a telescope or binoculars . But it won’t be visible to the naked eye. On January 18th at 4:51 p.m. it should be at its closest point.You can also see it online at the Virtual Telescope Project which should have a live feed of the event.
