NASA has issued an alert about a massive asteroid, 2011 VG9, roughly the size of the Qutub Minar, that is set to make a close flyby of Earth today. Measuring approximately 390 feet (119 meters) wide, the asteroid will pass by at a staggering speed of 85,520 km/h at 5:54 PM IST (12:24 UTC) on April 16.
Although the space rock will safely miss Earth with a closest approach of 4.6 million kilometers, its size and velocity are raising eyebrows among astronomers and space agencies.
What Is 2011 VG9?
Classified as an Apollo asteroid, 2011 VG9 belongs to a group of near-Earth objects (NEOs) known for their Earth-crossing orbits. These asteroids are under continuous observation due to their potential to approach dangerously close to our planet.
Could It Hit Earth?
As of now, there’s no threat of collision. But scientists warn that an asteroid this large could cause catastrophic destruction if it ever impacted Earth. For perspective, the infamous Chelyabinsk meteor, which injured over 1,500 people in Russia in 2013, was less than 60 feet wide. VG9 is over six times larger, and an impact at its current speed could unleash energy equivalent to tens of megatons of TNT—enough to devastate a city.
Planetary Defense: No Longer Sci-Fi
NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), along with other international observatories, continues to track thousands of such asteroids. Tools like Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, and the upcoming NEO Surveyor mission play a key role in early detection.
While 2011 VG9 poses no immediate danger, experts stress that Earth’s planetary defense readiness is crucial. One missed object or a sudden orbital change could mean disaster.