Introduction

In a thrilling cosmic twist, scientists have discovered that a massive asteroid that recently zipped past Earth is not just any space rock – it’s a unique, snowman-shaped object! Known as asteroid 2024 ON, this celestial giant consists of two smaller asteroids that merged over time, creating an intriguing peanut-like form resembling a festive snowman.

Asteroid's Journey Past Earth

On September 17, this enormous asteroid, measuring an astounding 1,150 feet (350 meters) – roughly the height of a skyscraper – sped safely by our planet at an astonishing 19,842 miles per hour (31,933 kph), which is an impressive 26 times the speed of sound. Fortunately, it flew by at a safe distance of 620,000 miles (1 million kilometers), more than 2.5 times the average distance between Earth and the Moon. Talk about a cosmic joyride!

NASA's Observations

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has classified this asteroid as 'potentially hazardous,' but rest assured, it poses no imminent threat to Earth. Groundbreaking observations from California's Goldstone Solar System Radar have enabled scientists to pinpoint its trajectory with remarkable accuracy for decades to come.

Unique Structure of the Asteroid

What made this observation particularly fascinating are the recent radar images revealing the asteroid's unique shape, reminiscent of a snowman with two distinct lobes connected by a narrower 'neck.' The sizes of these lobes differ, with one being about 50% larger than the other. These differences could indicate the presence of large boulders on the surface, as bright spots observed in the radars suggest.

Contact Binaries

Interestingly, 2024 ON falls into a category known as 'contact binaries,' a rare structure where two larger asteroids fuse together due to gravitational bonding. Experts estimate that around 14% of near-Earth asteroids larger than 660 feet (200 meters) are of this kind. The iconic example of this type is Selam, a moonlet discovered earlier this year by NASA's Lucy spacecraft, which orbits the near-Earth asteroid Dinkinesh.

A Temporary Second Moon

In a quirky cosmic coincidence, Earth is set to gain a temporary second moon this fall! Another asteroid, measuring 33 feet (10 meters), named 2024 PT5, will enter an unusual trajectory around our planet starting Sunday, September 29. For two months, it will follow a horseshoe path before drifting back to its regular orbit in the Arjuna asteroid belt, which lies between Mars and Jupiter.

Conclusion

As astronomers continue to monitor and catalog new asteroids, including over 60 that have recently passed between Earth and the Moon, one thing is crystal clear: our cosmic neighborhood is bustling with exciting discoveries. With the help of AI technology and the diligent contributions of citizen scientists, we may uncover even more glimpses of these fascinating space rocks. This festive season, as we admire our traditional snowmen on Earth, let us remember that somewhere in the vastness of space, a snowman-shaped asteroid is tumbling through the cosmos – a true gift from the universe!