Nasa has been tracking the space rock since it was discovered by Scottish-Australian astronomer Robert McNaught in 1994. AFP
Nasa has been tracking the space rock since it was discovered by Scottish-Australian astronomer Robert McNaught in 1994. AFP
Nasa has been tracking the space rock since it was discovered by Scottish-Australian astronomer Robert McNaught in 1994. AFP
Nasa has been tracking the space rock since it was discovered by Scottish-Australian astronomer Robert McNaught in 1994. AFP

Asteroid bigger than Dubai’s Burj Khalifa will fly by Earth next week


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

An asteroid with a diameter longer than the Burj Khalifa will make its closest approach towards Earth next week.

Known as asteroid (7482) 1994 PC1, the space rock measures 1.05 kilometres across, while the world’s tallest building in Dubai stands at 0.83km.

It will safely pass by the planet from a distance of 1.9 million km, at a speed of approximately 76,192kph, in the late hours of January 18.

Nasa has been tracking the space rock since it was discovered by Scottish-Australian astronomer Robert McNaught in 1994.

According to a report by the European Space Agency, the asteroid is expected to fly over the UAE from a safe distance, and would be visible using a telescope.

Its closest approach towards Earth would be on January 19, at 1.49am, local time.

  • A rendering of the Psyche asteroid
    A rendering of the Psyche asteroid
  • Hills are covered with fallen and burnt trees after a meteorite hit in 1908. Getty
    Hills are covered with fallen and burnt trees after a meteorite hit in 1908. Getty
  • People look at what scientists believe to be a chunk of the Chelyabinsk meteor in 2013. AP
    People look at what scientists believe to be a chunk of the Chelyabinsk meteor in 2013. AP
  • People standing near a six-metre hole in the ice of a frozen lake, reportedly the site of a meteor fall, outside the town of Chebakul in central Russia. AFP
    People standing near a six-metre hole in the ice of a frozen lake, reportedly the site of a meteor fall, outside the town of Chebakul in central Russia. AFP
  • A meteorite trail is seen above a residential apartment block in the Urals city of Chelyabinsk in 2013. AFP
    A meteorite trail is seen above a residential apartment block in the Urals city of Chelyabinsk in 2013. AFP
  • The Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (Atlas), pictured in Hawaii.
    The Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (Atlas), pictured in Hawaii.
  • The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, under construction in 2019, promises to reveal more objects faster than any previous telescope. Photo: LSST
    The Vera C. Rubin Observatory, under construction in 2019, promises to reveal more objects faster than any previous telescope. Photo: LSST
  • A computer-generated image shows the impact of the Dart projectile on the binary asteroid system, Didymos. ESA/AFP
    A computer-generated image shows the impact of the Dart projectile on the binary asteroid system, Didymos. ESA/AFP
  • Spotlights illuminate the Saturn V booster rocket on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida carrying the Apollo 8 spacecraft and its crew of three astronauts, on December 19, 1968. AP
    Spotlights illuminate the Saturn V booster rocket on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida carrying the Apollo 8 spacecraft and its crew of three astronauts, on December 19, 1968. AP

Asteroids are rocky leftovers from the formation of the early system. More than 1.1 million have been found but many remain undiscovered.

While an asteroid crashing into Earth any time soon is unlikely, it is not impossible.

In 2013, an asteroid crashed into the Russian city of Chelyabinsk. It exploded after entering Earth’s atmosphere and released energy equivalent to 500 kilotonnes of TNT.

The incident caused more than 3,600 apartment windows to shatter, injuring about 1,000 people.

To test Earth’s defences against any future threats from these space rocks, Nasa launched a spacecraft last year that would intentionally crash into an asteroid to see if it could be deflected off course.

The Double Asteroid Redirection Test (Dart) mission will involve Didymos and Dimorphos, a binary asteroid system about 11 million km from Earth.

Dimorphos will be struck by the spacecraft between September and October with the aim of changing its path.

If successful, the mission could help the agency secure technology to be used against asteroids that pose a danger to the planet.

Nasa's asteroid mission: in pictures

  • This image provided by the Southwest Research Institute depicts the 'Lucy' spacecraft approaching an asteroid. It will be the first space mission to explore a diverse population of small bodies known as the Jupiter Trojan asteroids. AP Photo
    This image provided by the Southwest Research Institute depicts the 'Lucy' spacecraft approaching an asteroid. It will be the first space mission to explore a diverse population of small bodies known as the Jupiter Trojan asteroids. AP Photo
  • Nasa's Double Asteroid Redirection Test 'Dart' spacecraft will crash into an asteroid as part of a planetary defence experiment. The launch is scheduled for November 23. Photo: Nasa
    Nasa's Double Asteroid Redirection Test 'Dart' spacecraft will crash into an asteroid as part of a planetary defence experiment. The launch is scheduled for November 23. Photo: Nasa
  • This artist's illustration obtained from Nasa shows the 'Dart' spacecraft and the Italian Space Agency’s LICIACube prior to impact at the Didymos binary system. AFP
    This artist's illustration obtained from Nasa shows the 'Dart' spacecraft and the Italian Space Agency’s LICIACube prior to impact at the Didymos binary system. AFP
  • A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the 'Lucy' spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. AP Photo
    A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the 'Lucy' spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. AP Photo
  • 'Lucy' will observe Trojan asteroids, a unique family of asteroids that orbit the sun in front of and behind Jupiter. AP Photo
    'Lucy' will observe Trojan asteroids, a unique family of asteroids that orbit the sun in front of and behind Jupiter. AP Photo
  • The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the 'Lucy' spacecraft takes off. EPA
    The United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the 'Lucy' spacecraft takes off. EPA
Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

Semi-final fixtures

Portugal v Chile, 7pm, today

Germany v Mexico, 7pm, tomorrow

Your Guide to the Home
  • Level 1 has a valet service if you choose not to park in the basement level. This level houses all the kitchenware, including covetable brand French Bull, along with a wide array of outdoor furnishings, lamps and lighting solutions, textiles like curtains, towels, cushions and bedding, and plenty of other home accessories.
  • Level 2 features curated inspiration zones and solutions for bedrooms, living rooms and dining spaces. This is also where you’d go to customise your sofas and beds, and pick and choose from more than a dozen mattress options.
  • Level 3 features The Home’s “man cave” set-up and a display of industrial and rustic furnishings. This level also has a mother’s room, a play area for children with staff to watch over the kids, furniture for nurseries and children’s rooms, and the store’s design studio.
     

21 Lessons for the 21st Century

Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
 

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)

What is THAAD?

It is considered to be the US' most superior missile defence system.

Production:

It was first created in 2008.

Speed:

THAAD missiles can travel at over Mach 8, so fast that it is hypersonic.

Abilities:

THAAD is designed to take out projectiles, namely ballistic missiles, as they are on their downward trajectory towards their target, otherwise known as the "terminal phase".

Purpose:

To protect high-value strategic sites, such as airfields or population centres.

Range:

THAAD can target projectiles both inside and outside of the Earth's atmosphere, at an altitude of 93 miles above the Earth's surface.

Creators:

Lockheed Martin was originally granted the contract to develop the system in 1992. Defence company Raytheon sub-contracts to develop other major parts of the system, such as ground-based radar.

UAE and THAAD:

In 2011, the UAE became the first country outside of the US to buy two THAAD missile defence systems. It then deployed them in 2016, becoming the first Gulf country to do so.

Result

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 – Group 1 (PA) $65,000 (Dirt) 2,000m; Winner: Brraq, Ryan Curatolo (jockey), Jean-Claude Pecout (trainer)

7.05pm: Handicap (TB) $65,000 (Turf) 1,800m; Winner: Bright Melody, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby

7.40pm: Meydan Classic – Listed (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Naval Crown, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby

8.15pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $195,000 (T) 2,810m; Winner: Volcanic Sky, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

8.50pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Star Safari, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

9.25pm: Meydan Challenge – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Zainhom, Dane O’Neill, Musabah Al Muhairi

In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

Representing%20UAE%20overseas
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Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Director: Venkat Prabhu
Rating: 2/5
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Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

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Updated: January 12, 2022, 12:07 PM