Asteroid as large as the Golden Gate Bridge approaching Earth on May 21

Asteroid 1997 BQ, also known as 136796, will pass Earth on May 21st at a speed of over 11,000 km/s. Estimated to be between 640 meters and 1.4 kilometers wide, it is comparable in size to the Golden Gate Bridge. The asteroid orbits the sun every 844 days, crossing Earth's orbit twice. On its closest approach, it travels beyond Mars and near the asteroid belt. On May 21st, it will pass Earth at a distance of 6.2 million kilometers, which is more than 16 times the average distance between Earth and the moon.

What is the estimated size range of asteroid 1997 BQ?

• Between 640 meters and 1.4 kilometers

• Between 500 meters and 1 kilometer

• Between 700 meters and 1.5 kilometers

• Between 600 meters and 1.2 kilometers

How often does asteroid 1997 BQ orbit the sun?

• Every 365 days

• Every 844 days

• Every 500 days

• Every 1000 days

Which planets does 1997 BQ travel beyond during its orbit?

• Saturn and Uranus

• Mars and Jupiter

• Venus and Mercury

• Mars and the asteroid belt

At what distance will 1997 BQ pass Earth on its closest approach?

• 10 million kilometers

• 6.2 million kilometers

• 3.1 million kilometers

• 1.5 million kilometers

How does the distance of 1997 BQ's closest approach compare to the average distance between Earth and the moon?

• It is 20 times the average distance

• It is 16 times the average distance

• It is 5 times the average distance

• It is 10 times the average distance