As we usher in the new year, the cosmos has its own spectacular show in store for us. On January 16, 2024, Earth will witness the close approach of three asteroids—2024 AH4, 2024 AB3, and the colossal 2021 CZ2. While the first two are comparable in size to houses, the latter, 2021 CZ2, is a behemoth, measuring between 84 and 190 meters in diameter.
2024 AB3 will dash past us at a staggering speed of 19.20 kilometers per second, while 2021 CZ2 will not be far behind, cruising at 14.33 kilometers per second. Notably, 2021 CZ2 will make the closest approach, venturing closer to Earth than our own Moon, at a distance of 367,021 kilometers.
Belonging to the group of asteroids known as Apollos, both 2024 AB3 and 2024 AH4 possess orbits larger than Earth’s, intersecting with our orbit around the Sun. On the other hand, 2021 CZ2 falls into the category of near-Earth objects (NEOs) known as Atens, lurking in the inner Solar System. This formidable visitor has made recent appearances, with a close approach in March 2023 and another anticipated in July 2024.
While this cosmic event is nothing more than a celestial spectacle this time, the significance lies in the reminder of the importance of monitoring and tracking Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). The potential devastation from a sizable asteroid impact serves as a stark reality. Though the chances of such an impact are rare, occurring approximately once every 20,000 years, the consequences are cataclysmic—releasing energy exceeding the sum of all nuclear weapons.
The hypothetical impact scenario outlines a crater 12 kilometers wide and 254 meters deep, potentially unleashing a tsunami towering over 400 meters if the impact were in water. Instant vaporization of around 2,300 people in a major metropolitan area, followed by millions of casualties from the fireball and the shockwave, underscores the importance of continuous vigilance and preparedness against potential celestial threats.
