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Astronomers are reporting a large asteroid known as 2011 UL21 approaching Earth. It is expected that on June 27 it will pass at a distance of 6,6 million km from our planet. This cosmic body is considered one of the largest objects that has approached the Earth over the past 125 years, “MIR 24” reports.
The size of the asteroid is impressive: its width ranges from 1,7 to 3,9 km, which makes it larger than 99% of known near-Earth asteroids. The speed of 2011 UL21 is about 93 000 km/h; it completes a full revolution around the Sun in three years.
Despite its considerable size, this asteroid is about five times smaller than the space rock that is believed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. However, a possible impact with 2011 UL21 could cause severe continental-scale impacts and global climate change.
Astronomers note that the asteroid can be seen in telescopes on June 28 and 29.
2011 UL21's next approach to Earth is expected in 2089. Then it will pass twice as close to our planet as it does now – at a distance of 2,7 million km.