Asteroid As Big As Mount Everest Looks Like It Is Wearing A Face Mask To Approach Earth

Aadhya Khatri - Apr 25, 2020

It seems like even an asteroid is practicing social distancing and wearing face mask in the time of CO.VID-19 pandemic

An asteroid will fly by our planet and according to astronomers, it looks exactly like it is wearing a face mask as if it is aware of the situation. It is about 1,900 meters in diameter but the asteroid will not collide with Earth.

The asteroid’s name is 52768 (1998 OR2) and the first time astronomers spotted it was in 1998.

asteroid face mask — As asteroid will fly by our planet and according to astronomers, it looks exactly like it is wearing a face mask as if it is aware of the situation

52768 (1998 OR2) will fly pass our planet on the 29^th of April, at a distance 16 times longer than that of our planet and the Moon. However, if the asteroid collided with Earth, it is big enough to cause a global effect, according to NASA.

The shape of the face mask is created by the ridges and hills on the 1998 OR2. While these topographic features are scientifically fascinating, but when people minds are too occupied with thoughts of the CO.VID-19 global pandemic, they might immediately associate them with a face mask.

1998 OR2’s flyby is projected to happen on April 29. Arecibo Observatory is a facility of the National Science Foundation. At this center, a team of scientists are keeping track on near-Earth asteroids.

As a pandemic is wreaking havoc all over the world, the center has to limit the number of scientists and operators and all personnel have to wear masks.

Asteroid masks flyby — As a pandemic is wreaking havoc all over the world, the center has to limit the number of scientists and operators and all personnel have to wear masks

While there will be no collision, the asteroid is still classified as a potential hazard. It is the largest to approach so close to Earth in the next two months, but it is not the biggest we have ever seen.

The throne belongs to the 3122 Florence (1981 ET3), an asteroid that almost hit Earth on September 1, 2017. It is expected to pay another visit on September 2, 2057.