logo
NASA alert! Asteroid 2025 OL1 set for close Earth encounter on July 30 at 16,900 mph; scientists track rare near-Earth flyby

NASA alert! Asteroid 2025 OL1 set for close Earth encounter on July 30 at 16,900 mph; scientists track rare near-Earth flyby

Time of India28-07-2025
Earth is about to witness a close celestial visitor as
asteroid 2025 OL1
approaches our planet. Roughly the size of a small aircraft, measuring about 110 feet in diameter, this space rock will make its closest pass on July 30, 2025. Travelling at an impressive speed of 16,904 miles per hour, it will safely skim past Earth at a distance of approximately 1.29 million kilometres. Though this event may sound alarming, NASA assures that the
asteroid
poses no threat. This flyby underscores the critical need for continuous monitoring of
near-Earth objects
and the evolving strategies by agencies like NASA and ISRO to defend our planet.
NASA tracks asteroid 2025 OL1 for closest pass on July 30: Speed and distance
At roughly 110 feet in diameter, asteroid 2025 OL1 is about the length of a small passenger plane. Moving at a rapid speed of nearly 17,000 miles per hour, it covers the vast distance between Earth and its orbit quickly but safely. Although over a million kilometres away at closest approach, this flyby is significant because it offers scientists a chance to study an asteroid up close, better understand its trajectory, and refine detection techniques for future near-Earth objects.
NASA confirms asteroid 2025 OL1 flyby poses no threat to Earth
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Indonesia: Unsold Sofas at Bargain Prices (Prices May Surprise You)
Sofas | Search Ads
Search Now
Undo
NASA's latest observations confirm that asteroid 2025 OL1 will not come close enough to endanger Earth. To be classified as potentially hazardous, an asteroid must pass within 7.4 million kilometres of our planet and be at least 85 metres wide. While 2025 OL1 meets the size criterion, its closest approach of 1.29 million kilometres keeps it well outside the danger zone. Despite its harmless status, scientists remain vigilant, closely tracking the asteroid's path for any changes caused by gravitational forces or other influences. This careful observation helps maintain our preparedness against any unexpected shifts.
ISRO joins global efforts in asteroid monitoring and defence
India's space agency, ISRO, remains deeply involved in planetary defense initiatives. Chairman S. Somanath has emphasized the importance of preparing for asteroid threats, particularly focusing on larger objects like the asteroid Apophis, which is expected to pass Earth in 2029. ISRO aims to collaborate with other space agencies such as NASA, ESA, and JAXA to improve detection capabilities and develop technologies capable of deflecting potentially hazardous asteroids. These partnerships and upcoming missions underscore the growing global commitment to protecting Earth from cosmic dangers.
Why monitoring asteroids like 2025 OL1 matters
Although asteroid impacts are rare, their potential consequences can be devastating. Events like the flyby of 2025 OL1 serve as reminders of the importance of continued vigilance. Space is filled with countless near-Earth objects (NEOs) that silently traverse the solar system. Most pass by unnoticed, but tracking those that come close enables scientists to predict their paths and prepare contingency plans. The data gathered from each observation enhances our ability to forecast future encounters and develop asteroid mitigation strategies, safeguarding our planet's future.
Asteroid 2025 OL1 flyby reinforces need for vigilant sky monitoring
While the asteroid 2025 OL1's passage on July 30 will be peaceful and pose no danger, it highlights the need for ongoing surveillance. Global space agencies maintain round-the-clock monitoring systems, using powerful telescopes and satellites to watch the skies. Each asteroid flyby improves our understanding of these celestial neighbors and informs defense tactics. As technology advances, missions designed to test asteroid deflection methods may one day protect Earth from potential threats. Until then, experts keep watch, reminding us to look up with curiosity—and caution.
Also Read |
Twin meteor showers to light up July 29–30 skies with 25 shooting stars an hour; here's what you need to know
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Archaeologists discover 800-year-old bones that were used as musical instruments in the Aztec empire
Archaeologists discover 800-year-old bones that were used as musical instruments in the Aztec empire

Time of India

time3 hours ago

  • Time of India

Archaeologists discover 800-year-old bones that were used as musical instruments in the Aztec empire

Image credits: X Archaeologists discovered 29 ancient human bones along the coast of South Texas that had unusual markings, suggesting they may have carried a purpose beyond death. After performing an in-depth analysis, historians suggested that the group of hunter-gatherers who once lived in the area likely created music by transforming these bones into musical instruments. Dr Matthew Taylor, who works as a biological anthropologist at Augusta University in Georgia, identified a musical rasp fashioned from a human humerus while studying the artefacts. As per reports from IFLScience, the item resembled an omichicahuaztli, an instrument used by pre-Hispanic Mexican cultures, including the civilization of the Aztecs. The bones date back to the Late Prehistoric era (AD 700-1500) in North America, and of the 29, 27 were made from either the arm or the leg, as per the in-depth analysis published in the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. The other two were made from rib bones. "Late Prehistoric South Texas (1300-1528 AD) was characterised by hunter-gatherer habitation," Dr. Taylor wrote. "Forager peoples lived in the region from Paleoindian times up to and beyond European contact and never adopted agriculture." The instruments were made using the "groove-and-snap" method, which involves sawing a groove around a bone's circumference before breaking it into two pieces. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The process includes hours of work and is known to be labour-intensive. What do the bones signify? Historical objects made from human bone are often seen as signifying practices like honouring ancestors or displaying war trophies. However, the ones found in this discovery are different. The musical rasp made from an upper arm bone featured 29 carefully carved notches and decorative geometric patterns. The instrument appeared to have been played by scraping another object along the grooves. Dr. Taylor speculated the Texan rasp "may represent an emulation of Mexican religious practices." "Whatever their original provenance, it is quite apparent that the Late Prehistoric inhabitants did not regard the handling of human remains as taboo," he concluded. "Although some may wish to equate the presence of these artefacts with the existence of cannibalism, this report does not support or refute that hypothesis."

Bharatiya Antariksh Station in orbit; indigenous missions exploring Moon, Mars: Former ISRO chief lists nation's scientific priorities
Bharatiya Antariksh Station in orbit; indigenous missions exploring Moon, Mars: Former ISRO chief lists nation's scientific priorities

Indian Express

time3 hours ago

  • Indian Express

Bharatiya Antariksh Station in orbit; indigenous missions exploring Moon, Mars: Former ISRO chief lists nation's scientific priorities

Highlighting the country's transformational journey in space under the 2023 Indian Space Policy, which opened the door to foreign direct investment and strengthened support for non-governmental entities, former ISRO chairman and renowned space scientist Dr S Somanath on Monday delivered a lecture as part of the the Panjab University's (PU's) Colloquium Series. Somanath, currently serving as Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor and President-elect of the Aeronautical Society of India (ASI), addressed the talk titled 'Space Sector in India: Opportunities for Business and Startups,' which focused on the growth of the country's space sector, the role of private enterprises, and the future of space entrepreneurship in the country. PU Vice-Chancellor (V-C) Renu Vig presided over the colloquium. In his lecture, the former ISRO chief spoke about the strategic and scientific priorities of India's future in space, including Mars and Venus missions, reusable launch vehicles, and the planned Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) by 2035. 'Landing at the moon is not a pipe dream for India; we are working on it. By 2047, India aims to have a permanent human presence in space, a Bharatiya Antariksh Station in orbit, and indigenous missions exploring the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We're not just following global trends — we're shaping them, with reusable launchers, electric propulsion, and quantum-secure space communications,' he added. Somanath called on universities to actively participate in building a self-sustaining space research and industrial ecosystem. Referring to various problems being faced by farmers, the scientist showcased how satellite-based technologies are now transforming farming. He spoke about ISRO's remote sensing applications for crop insurance, yield estimation, and smart irrigation planning. Tools like the Krishi Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS), SASYA automated crop classification using RISAT-1A data, and agrometeorological products derived from INSAT-3DR are already supporting lakhs of farmers across India. These technologies have been integrated into schemes like PMFBY (Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana) for efficient claim assessment and smart sampling. Somanath also highlighted the role of satellite data in tropical cyclone monitoring and prediction, forest fire alerts, and disaster management. Platforms such as Bhuvan, the Indian Geo-Platform of ISRO, are providing web-based geospatial services for agriculture, forestry, disaster response, and governance, benefitting states like Punjab and Haryana. These innovations, he emphasised, can help farmers improve productivity, reduce risk, access timely information, and make evidence-based decisions. The scientist noted that India's shift from a government-funded model to a stakeholder-based space ecosystem has triggered a wave of innovation, with private satellite manufacturers, small launch vehicle developers, and data service providers gaining momentum. This expanding ecosystem, he argued, is expected to generate significant socio-economic benefits, job creation, and global market participation.

Perseids Meteor Shower Peak, Other Sky Events To Watch In August
Perseids Meteor Shower Peak, Other Sky Events To Watch In August

NDTV

time3 hours ago

  • NDTV

Perseids Meteor Shower Peak, Other Sky Events To Watch In August

Led by the Perseids meteor shower, August brings a busy skywatching calendar. With planetary pairings and deep-sky objects also on display, the month offers plenty for stargazers worldwide. August 12-13: Perseids Meteor Shower Peaks The Perseids, one of the most popular annual meteor showers, will peak on the night of August 12-13. While active from late July to August 24, this two-night window is expected to be the most intense, with up to 150 meteors per hour or 2-3 per minute, according to This year, the full moon on August 9 may interfere with viewing, washing out fainter meteors. Perseids Meteor Shower To Be Visible In India Viewers in India are advised to head to darker, rural areas for better visibility. Ideal viewing time is from midnight to just before sunrise on August 13. Regions such as Spiti, Ladakh, Rann of Kutch, and remote parts of Karnataka or Uttarakhand are recommended. Those who miss the peak may still catch a few meteors in the days following, especially between August 16 and 20, when moonlight begins to fade. August 26: Mars And The Moon Conjunction On August 26, Mars will appear next to a thin crescent moon in the western sky around 8.15 pm IST. Visible low on the horizon, the pair will stay close for about an hour. No telescope or binoculars are needed. Planetary Viewings August 11-12: Venus-Jupiter Conjunction Venus and Jupiter will appear only one degree apart in the eastern sky before sunrise, according to NASA's JPL. August 12 (early morning): Venus and Jupiter Rise Together Both planets will rise side by side, appearing like two bright stars. August 19-20: Crescent Moon With Venus and Jupiter A thin crescent moon will join the two planets in the eastern sky before sunrise. August 19: Mercury At Greatest Elongation Mercury will be at its most visible this month in the eastern sky before sunrise. It appears low on the horizon. The Dumbbell Nebula The Dumbbell Nebula (M27), one of the easiest planetary nebulae to spot, will be visible all month within the Summer Triangle, high overhead during early nights. It appears as a faint patch of light and marks the remains of a dying star. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn will be visible at various times this month. Mercury appears low in the east later in August, Venus and Jupiter shine bright in the eastern sky before sunrise, Mars is visible in the west after sunset, and Saturn rises late at night, shifting earlier as the month progresses.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store