An asteroid, named 2024 MK, made a close approach to Earth three days ago, passing by at a distance of about three-quarters the distance between our planet and the moon.
While this space rock poses no threat, it offered a rare opportunity for skywatchers to catch a glimpse of this celestial visitor.
Discovered just two weeks ago by a South African observatory, the asteroid is estimated to be between 393 and 853 feet wide. While smaller asteroids frequently fly past Earth, objects of this size are relatively uncommon, with similar encounters occurring roughly every 25 years.
“We have seen a few of those during our lifetimes, but it’s not something that happens every other day,” said Davide Farnocchia, an asteroid expert at NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies.
While a larger asteroid, measuring 7,579 feet in diameter, safely passed Earth on Thursday, it was at a greater distance and only visible to professional telescopes.
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