According to the NASA Center for Space Science, an asteroid was seen approaching Earth at a relatively close distance on the evening of Sunday, March 13, according to an expert in space physics and astronomy at the College of Science at the University of Babylon (CNEOS). The spacecraft, known as 2022 ES3, will approach 41,000 mph (65,600 kph) and pass between the Moon and Earth Sunday at 2:18 p.m.
The researcher added that this event will provide a great viewing opportunity, and an Italian astronomical organization called the Virtual Telescope Project, which often tracks asteroids and other space objects across the sky, is scheduled to host a live broadcast of what it calls 2022 ES3 “a very close encounter, on its WebTV page. 18:30 UTC on March 13th.
According to astronomers, the asteroid 2022 ES3 poses no threat to Earth, and it is expected to have a diameter of between 33 and 72 feet (10 to 21.9 meters). To be classified as a potentially dangerous asteroid, or PHA, the asteroid must meet certain criteria related to size and proximity to our planet. Asteroid 2022 ES3 is within the effective range but falls short in size. It can approach Earth at a distance of roughly 4,650,000 miles (7,483,431 kilometers) or is smaller than 500 feet (152 meters).