An Asteroid called 52768 (1998 OR2) will have “the closest approach to earth” at 1526 hours on Wednesday. This is the closest for this asteroid can get to earth in the next 59 years, Planetary Society of India (PSI) Director N Sri Raghunandan Kumar told. He said the size of this asteroid is estimated to be 1.8 km - 4.1 km and it’s moving at a speed of 8.7 km/sec.
Mr. Kumar said through a live broadcast on April 27, NASA Scientists stated there is no chance for this space rock hitting the earth. However in the Corona period, the social media is abuzz with videos creating fear and impact of this asteroid with Earth, he added. Presently this asteroid revolves around Sun once in every 1344 Days i.e. 3.68 years.
On the day of its closest approach, it will shine at 11 Magnitude and so this asteroid is not visible to naked eye but can be spotted with the help of Astronomical Telescopes, the PSI Director said.