Christmas eve asteroid 2024 XN1 to skim past earth safely

A massive asteroid, 2024 XN1, dubbed the “Christmas Eve asteroid,” is set to make its closest approach to Earth at 02:56 am GMT on December 24. Measuring between 95 to 230 feet in diameter, the space rock will fly past at an astonishing speed of 14,743 mph. With an estimated destructive potential equivalent to 12 million tonnes of TNT, its size is comparable to that of an airplane.

NASA’s Asteroid Watch dashboard, which tracks near-Earth objects, confirms that the asteroid will pass safely at a distance of approximately 4.48 million miles (7.21 million kilometers)—around 18 times the distance between Earth and the Moon. Despite being classified as a “near miss” in astronomical terms, experts assure there is no risk of collision.

Discovered on December 12 by NASA and the European Space Agency’s planetary defense systems, 2024 XN1 is the largest among five asteroids making close approaches to Earth in the coming days. The asteroid’s fly-by underscores the importance of continuous monitoring of near-Earth objects.

NASA’s dashboard provides real-time data on asteroid encounters, including size, speed, and proximity, helping scientists and the public stay informed about potential future risks.

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