Asteroid Zooms Just 200 Miles Above Earth: How Rare Is This Close Call?

When an asteroid passes just 200 miles above Earth, it naturally sparks curiosity and concern, even among seasoned space observers. Such a distance is closer than many satellites orbiting the planet, making the event feel startlingly personal despite posing no real danger. These flybys offer scientists a valuable opportunity to study near-Earth objects, refine tracking systems, and better understand how frequently our planet experiences such close encounters.