A huge number of asteroids are there in the solar system and many of them buzz Earth from very close quarters. Fortunately, most of them are stuck in the asteroid belt, even though some have escaped from there and are now hazardous for Earth. It is essential to track these asteroids to ensure they don’t crash against Earth. Often, these asteroids are pulled out of their orbits and become even greater threats. NASA has a planetary defence mechanism in place to deflect these dangerous asteroids. In fact, NASA has altered the course of one asteroid (along with its moonlet) with its DART mission. So, which asteroids are approaching Earth? Check out the next five asteroid close approaches to Earth:

1. Asteroid 2024 MT1: A truly gigantic space rock! This is a 250-foot asteroid that will get as close as 936,000 miles of Earth on July 8. This building-sized asteroid is travelling at a fiery 40513 mph. It is an Apollo group Asteroid

2. Asteroid 2024 NB1: This is a 200-foot space rock, as big as a plane. The closest it will get to Earth is 3,480,000 miles and that it will do on July 9. It is travelling at a speed of 21754 miles per hour.

3. Asteroid 2024 ME1: This is a space rock measuring some 130 feet. This asteroid will get as close as 2,700,000 miles of Earth on July 10. It is travelling a mindboggling speed of 18773.

4. Asteroid 2022 YS5: It is a 120-foot asteroid that will come as close as 2,620,000 miles to Earth on July 11. It is traveling at a more sedate 13045 mph. 

5. Asteroid 2024 NG: On the 5th spot is a 56-foot asteroid that is set to get within just 2,140,000 miles of Earth on July 13. This space rock is travelling at 15742 miles per hour.

All these asteroids will get very close to Earth, but US space agency NASA expects them all to fly by the planet.