KEY POINTS

An asteroid is expected to fly past Earth at 6.68 million kilometers.

Measuring 335 meters in diameter, it is categorized as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA).

Scientists keep a close eye on it, as Apollo asteroids can alter their paths due to the Yarkovsky effect.

This weekend, a giant asteroid comparable in size to the Eiffel Tower is scheduled for a close, yet safe, approach to Earth. According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), this celestial body, known as 2003 MH4, is approximately 1,100 feet (335 meters) in size and is racing through space at speeds exceeding 30,000 kilometers per hour. Scientists have confirmed that there is no cause for alarm regarding this flyby, although they continue to monitor its trajectory due to its designation as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid.

Asteroid 2003 MH4: Distance and Potential Threat

As stated by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Asteroid 2003 MH4 belongs to the Apollo group, known for overlapping Earth’s orbital path. This specific asteroid is roughly 335 meters wide—equivalent to the height of a 100-story building—and will pass by our planet on May 24 at 4:07 PM IST (10:37 UTC) while traveling at 30,060 kilometers per hour.

Despite the seemingly close encounter, the asteroid’s trajectory is deemed safe. It will pass within 6.68 million kilometers of Earth, which is about 17 times farther than the Moon’s average distance from our planet. According to existing classifications, objects larger than 140 meters that approach within 7.5 million kilometers of Earth are marked as Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs).

NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has emphasized, “This weekend’s encounter serves as a cautionary tale, not a cause for concern.”

Though 2003 MH4 poses no immediate danger, it is important to understand that Apollo asteroids, like it, can change their flight path over time. This phenomenon is largely influenced by the Yarkovsky effect, which occurs due to variations in sunlight absorption and re-radiation, potentially altering the asteroid’s trajectory. The concern is substantial; if such a celestial object were to collide with Earth, it could result in catastrophic consequences.

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