The Virtual Telescope Project’s astronomers have successfully captured remarkable footage and images of asteroid 2024 BJ during its close encounter with Earth on Saturday. The asteroid came within 353,000 kilometers (220,000 miles) of Earth, just 10 days after its initial discovery. At its closest point, the asteroid was approximately 92 percent of the average distance between the Earth and the Moon. To put it in perspective, the Earth faced a small risk from the object, which is roughly the size of five giraffes. If that comparison is difficult to comprehend, IFLScience staff member Eleanor Higgs visualizes it as being between 16 and 17 times the size of pop star Ariana Grande. The Virtual Telescope Project meticulously tracked the asteroid during its closest approach, capturing live footage and photographs of the object.
If you’re curious about the asteroid’s amusing name, it was discovered as part of a survey in January 2024, hence the “2024” in its name. The remaining part of its name also indicates when it was discovered.”The provisional designation includes the year of its discovery followed by two letters that give the order of its discovery during that year,” explains the European Space Agency (ESA). “Objects discovered between 1 and 15 January are designated in order of their discovery, AA, AB, AC, and so on. Those discovered between 16 and 31 January are given the letters BA, BB, BC, and so on.”Being the tenth discovered asteroid after January 16, it was named 2024 BJ. However, this name is not permanent. If subsequent observations reveal that it is not 2024 BJ but a previously spotted asteroid, it will be renamed accordingly. If the asteroid is newly discovered, it will eventually be given a permanent name.”The astronomer who first provides enough observations to calculate the orbit with precision has the privilege of choosing the name because they are the discoverer,” added the ESA. For now, the livestream of 2024 BJ is available for viewing, and it is hoped that everyone enjoys it.
