Some people are now preparing for the coming of Halloween. But for NASA, it is not just Halloween that is coming, for the space agency, together with some citizen scientists, a part of NASA's Asteroid Grand Challenge, recently discovered an asteroid coming towards earth.
The asteroid that is officially called 2015 TB145 and nicknamed "spooky" is estimated to be around 300 to 600 meters wide and with a highly unpredictable orbit. The asteroid's nickname, spooky, was given not just because it is estimated to pass by the earth in October 31, a day before Halloween. Its nickname according to express signifies fear and alarm. Paul Cox, of Slooh Telescope internet channel, even shared his fear about the coming asteroid 2015 TB145. Cox stated via accuweather that;
"It's frightening to think an asteroid this size, approaching so close to Earth, was discovered only 21-days before its closest approach, which just happens to be on Halloween. If that doesn't give you the chills, nothing will."
If indeed the asteroid of such size were to pass and hit the Earth, chances are great that it could ravage a continent. Tsunamis could occur if it lands in the vast seas. And if the ash cloud would block out the sun, we will be plunged back into an ice age. Thus, particular concern for the asteroid spooky would somehow be reasonable; express even reported that;
"The asteroid is particularly concerning, not just because it managed to avoid detection until so late a date, but also because of its size, which measures anywhere from 951-2,130 feet in diameter, which is nearly two and a half times the size of Trump World Tower in New York City."
But still despite the alarming and chilling possibilities on the background, experts are confident that the said asteroid 2015 TB145 will just miss the earth with an estimated distance of distance of 302,000 miles.
