1 Feb 2024

NASA issues warning as stadium-sized asteroid passes by Earth

From Nights, 10:17 pm on 1 February 2024

Scientists will be keeping a close eye on asteroid 2008 OS7 which is expected to come within 2.8 million kilometres of Earth.

While it's extremely unlikely to do any damage to us here on Earth, NASA has issued a warning calling the asteroid "potentially hazardous".

Nights speaks to director of the Otago Museum and Astronomer Dr Ian Griffin about what's going on.

Planet Earth with detailed exaggerated relief at night lit by the lights of cities. New Zealand. 3D rendering. Elements of this image furnished by NASA

Photo: 123rf.com