Characteristics:

  • Size: 2018 QE is estimated to be estimated to be between 7.7 to 17 metres (depending on the source of the data)) making it a relatively small asteroid.
  • Orbit: It has an orbit that brings it close to Earth, with a semi-major axis of about 1.14 astronomical units (AU). Its orbit is elliptical, taking it from within Earth's orbit to beyond it.

Close Approach in 2024:

  • Date of Approach: October 9, 2024.
  • Distance from Earth: It is expected to pass at a distance of about 668,092 kilometers (approximately 415,330 miles) from Earth, which is about 1.74 times the distance to the Moon. This makes it a close approach on an astronomical scale but not a dangerous one.
  • Speed: The asteroid will be moving at a velocity relative to Earth of approximately 16.6 kilometers per second.

Risk Assessment:

  • So there's this asteroid called 2018 QE that's gonna swing by Earth in October2024. It's a pretty small dude, somewhere between like 7 and 17 meters across. Kinda shaped like a giant space potato hurtling through the void and this rock has an elliptical orbit that brings it within Earths orbital path and then back out again.

    On October 9th, 2024, 2018 QE is gonna make its closest approach to our planet. It'll miss us by about 660000 kilometers, which is a nice comfortable distance - about 1 and 3/4 times farther out than the Moon orbits. The asteroid will be hooking along at over 16 km/s relative to Earth at this point. Zoom zoom space rock!

    Now despite the relatively close encounter, there's no danger of 2018 QE actually hitting us. NASA and other science folks have done the math, tracked its orbit precisely and given it a clean bill of safe passage. Doesn't stop it from being classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid though, on account of its size and orbit. Sounds scarier than it is in this case.

    In the lead-up to the 2024 flyby, you better believe astro-geeks across the globe are gonna be pointing their telescopes to get a better look at this interplanetary interloper. Chance to study it up close without it, you know smashing into the planet. Always good to keep an eye on these near-Earth objects, make sure their paths dont unexpectedly shift towards disaster.

    So when October rolls around, check the night sky for 2018 QE's cameo appearance. Close enough for a good look without any pesky extinction-level events to worry about.