NASA's radar recently tracked two close-approaching asteroids—2011 UL21 and 2024 MK. These near-Earth objects offered unique data. Asteroid 2011 UL21, nearly a mile wide, passed 4.1 million miles from Earth on June 27. Radar revealed it has a smaller moon, providing insights into asteroid formation. On June 29, asteroid 2024 MK passed just 184,000 miles from Earth. This 500-foot-wide asteroid, discovered 13 days earlier, showed an elongated shape with flat and rounded regions. Radar revealed concavities, ridges, and boulders. Using the Goldstone radar, NASA transmitted radio waves to the asteroids and received reflected signals. This high-resolution imaging provided information about their sizes, orbits, rotation, and surface details. The findings show 2011 UL21 is a binary system with a moonlet. The close approach of 2024 MK offered a rare look at a near-Earth asteroid's physical properties. Though neither asteroid poses a threat to Earth, their close approaches highlight the importance of studying near-Earth objects for planetary defense. These observations provide valuable data for planetary defense and enrich our understanding of asteroids and the processes shaping our solar system.

Asteroid 2024 MK's Close Approach: A Wake Up Call for Earth?

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