Massive asteroids will pass by Earth this week, with one coming closer than the moon

Kye Graves, Arizona Republic
Updated ·2 min read
58

A slew of asteroids are set to fly by Earth this week, with one projected to venture closer than the moon.

According to the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the solar orbiting rocky fragment dubbed 2023 LZ will pass by Earth on Wednesday, June 14, with its closest approach slated to be approximately 197,000 miles.

For reference, the average distance between the Earth and the moon is about 239,000 miles.

NASA data indicates 2023 LZ is approximately 59 feet, making it a "house-size" asteroid. According to SkyLive, 2023 LZ will only be viewable through long-exposure photography from Phoenix.

While it may sound a little too close for comfort, Mount Lemmon SkyCenter Director Alan Strauss told The Arizona Republic that there's no need to worry.

"I will tell you that asteroids pass nearby the Earth often, and like all of the ones we know of and have cataloged, these are harmless and have no effect on Earth," Strauss said.

That goes for the rest of the bunch as well, as two more meteors will zoom past on June 15 and June 17.

More: How ASU, University of Arizona scientists helped Apollo astronauts land on the moon

Asteroid 2020 DB5 will pass by on June 15

2020 DB5, according to NASA Jet Propulsion Lab data, is estimated to be a 1,600-foot asteroid and will have its long-distance date with Earth on June 15.

A similar asteroid 1994 XD, which was discovered by Spacewatch at the Kitt Peak Observatory in Arizona, passed by Earth on Monday, about 3.1 million miles away.

2020 DB5's closest approach will be just under 2.7 million miles from Earth.

At 1,600 feet, this asteroid is "bridge-size", making it a "potentially hazardous object" according to NASA's asteroid watch dashboard, but it won't hit the planet.

Asteroid 2023 HL comes around June 17

On June 17, asteroid 2023 HL will cruise by Earth on its tour, coming as close as 3.2 million miles away from the blue marble.

2023 HL is an estimated 45 feet dropping it in the "house-size" category alongside 2023 LZ.

Additionally, those interested can take a peek at asteroids to come near Earth via the Eyes on Asteroids countdown on NASA's website.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Asteroids will pass by earth this month. Here's what to know