Asteroid taller than Empire State Building passes by Earth in last time for two decades

This data is invaluable for scientists at NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), who work to calculate the orbits of all known near-Earth asteroids and assess potential impactors.

The experts have determined that 2011 AG5 orbits around the Sun once every 621 days — meaning that its next close passage by Earth will not occur until the year 2040.

At this time, it will miss us safely with a clearance of around 670,000 miles, which is the equivalent of nearly three times the Earth–Moon distance.

CNEOS director Paul Chodas added: “Interestingly, shortly after its discovery, 2011 AG5 became a poster-child asteroid when our analysis showed it had a small chance of a future impact.

“Continued observations of this object ruled out any chance of impact, and these new ranging measurements by the planetary radar team will further refine exactly where it will be far into the future.”

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Article source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1737347/Asteroid-2011-ag5-taller-empire-state-building-passes-earth