By Tim Binnall
Suggesting that perhaps the universe has a dark sense of humor, an image of an asteroid set to pass near the Earth later this week appears as if the rocky body is wearing a face mask. The photograph was reportedly taken by scientists who are monitoring from potential incoming threats to our planet by way of the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. Dubbed 'asteroid 1998 OR2,' the asteroid measures approximately 1.1 miles to 2.5 miles across and, by virtue of its considerable size and near-Earth orbit, qualifies as "potentially hazardous."
Fortunately, when the asteroid passes by the planet on Wednesday it will be around four million miles away, so we are not in any danger here on Earth. As for its unique appearance, Anne Virkki explained that the 'covering' seen on the rock is, in fact, "small-scale topographic features such as hills and ridges. Since we are all thinking about COVID-19, these features make it look like 1998 OR2 remembered to wear a mask." And, thankfully, it will also apparently be practicing social distancing when it sweeps through our celestial neighborhood.