Asteroid 2024 MK makes closest approach to Earth

Due to its enormous size and dazzling brightness, the asteroid can also be seen through a decent telescope in the night sky. It will be visible across the Northern Hemisphere at its brightest on June 28 and 29.

Given its current magnitude, 2024 MK is visible with the help of a telescope having an aperture of 8 inches (200mm) or more.

2011 UL21, also known as the "Planet Killer," was one of the largest asteroids to ever come this close to the blue planet. The stellar rock, which is known as 2011 UL21, had a massive width of 1.1 to 2.4 miles (1.7 to 3.8 kilometres) and passed Earth at a speed of approximately 58,000 mph (93,000 km/h).