NASA Warning: Asteroid larger than Qutub Minar speeding toward Earth. Are we safe?

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

NASA has sounded the cosmic alarm as asteroid 2024 OC, an astronomical giant nearly double the size of Qutub Minar, zooms toward Earth today.

NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has been crunching numbers and tracking the behemoth rock, measuring a staggering 410 feet. This asteroid, dubbed 2024 OC, is set to make a dramatic close approach to our planet, skimming by at a distance of approximately 4,610,000 kilometers on August 4. While this might sound like the setup for a sci-fi thriller, fear not! Despite its grand size and proximity, NASA assures us that this celestial visitor poses no immediate threat to Earth.

Not Quite the Armageddon Scenario

Classified as a Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 2024 OC might be giving us a close shave, but it doesn’t warrant the 'Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)' label. It’s more of a cosmic drive-by than an end-of-the-world blockbuster. Rest easy; this giant rock is being closely monitored, ensuring that any slight deviations from its predicted path are promptly noted.

Asteroids: The Solar System’s Ancient Relics

Asteroids like 2024 OC are remnants from the formation of our solar system, dating back billions of years. While most of them hang out in the main asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars, occasionally, these space rocks take a detour through our neighborhood. According to NASA's JPL Solar System Dynamics website, there are currently 1,385,217 known asteroids or minor planets, each with its unique story.

Asteroid