Asteroid to asteroid visible: In January 2022, no fewer than 15 pieces of rock hurtle close to Earth
Research team discovers asteroid. Also, if so exciting, as in the case of asteroid 7482 (1994 PC1), which on 18. January could be dangerous – the scenario has happened dozens of times before. Getting out the telescope, noting coordinates, making calculations of a potential collision: an ordinary day at ESA, you might say. However, it becomes exciting when structures shift, things suddenly run differently. Specifically, if not a single asteroid, but a whole 15 come close to Earth in almost one fell swoop.
A narrative that the world is currently facing: 15 asteroids will be cavorting near Earth in January 2022. Thus it reported among other things the on-line portal futurezone.at. Day one of Asteroid Week was 10. January 2022: Chunk "2017AM13", according to ESA, which wants to bombard an asteroid in 2024 in the course of its "Hera" mission*, about 30 meters in size, flew past the Earth. 6.777.100 kilometers separated him from our planet. The second asteroid goes by the name of "2022AZ". A 60 meter rock with an earth distance of 3.217.590 kilometers. There is no danger for the earth and mankind. Can this be said a few days and 13 near earth asteroids later also?
Where do asteroids come from?
In most cases, asteroids originate from the asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars.
What are asteroids made of?
Rock as well as metals and carbon compounds are the main components of any asteroid. Asteroids can also be made of metal.
Which are the most dangerous asteroids?
Asteroid 29075 (1950 DA) and asteroid (101955) Bennu belong currently according to wetter.de to the "potentially most dangerous" asteroids. They are classified as dangerous because they come so close to Earth that a deviation in trajectory could at least potentially lead to an impact.
15 asteroids near Earth within a week in January 2022: One asteroid is even closer than the Moon
On 11. January there were already four asteroids, which were "very close" to the earth. Especially one asteroid may surprise: its name: "2022AC4". On its Earth course, it was even closer to the Earth than the moon. Had science seen it coming at all? What is certain is that ESA and Co. Have worked out strategies to defend yourself. Whether the 24. November 2021 launched NASA’s DART mission or Airbus rescue plan with satellites if an asteroid threatens the Earth – it is certain that the rescue attempts, however, are still based on mere theory.
Asteroids in January 2022 come very close to Earth: threat of impact?
Appropriate measures are only now being tested and put in place. By then, even distances of just over 92.000 kilometers can quickly become a cause for concern. Especially when the asteroid should leave its orbit. The question of whether asteroids could become dangerous to Earth in the foreseeable future thus remains. Even if some asteroids might be as small as "2022AD4" (11 meters) or "2022AB4" (15 meters).
Again and again a rock from the local asteroid belt, the latitudes of Mars, which could be settled soon – shoots up toward earth. One of them: "2013YD48". Unlike many other asteroids, science knew of its possible threat. NASA, the astreroid was said to be "potentially dangerous".
Asteroid swarm in January 2022: Can you see an asteroid with the naked eye?
However, there is no reason for concern at present. The pulse of astro-fans rises for another reason: On 12. January 2022 the earth atmosphere was hit again by several asteroids in one day. We are talking about asteroid "2022AF1" and "2022AA2". Diameter between 20 resp. 40 meters pull both celestial bodies toward earth. According to ESA data, asteroids maintain an Earth distance of up to 2.521.575 kilometers.
On 13. January are even three chunks in the earth approach. Closest then comes asteroid "2022AG2". It has a distance of a little more than 1.000.000 kilometers. On 14. and 15. January two celestial bodies each follow to the conclusion again. Particularly impressively: An asteroid becomes then only 725.630 kilometers away from the earth. The James Webb telescope, launched on 25. December, can survey such a distance. It might be difficult with a standard astro-telescope. But a retrospective look into the year 2021 gives hope.