Latest news with #2025OW
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Economic Times
Plane-sized Asteroid 2025 OW will fly-by at 47,000 mph this week, but NASA scientists say it's nothing new
An asteroid roughly the size of a commercial aeroplane is expected to pass Earth on 28 July, according to NASA. The object, known as 2025 OW, is about 210 feet across and will fly by at a distance of approximately 393,000 miles. That's about one and a half times farther than the experts are clear: there's nothing to worry about. 'This is very routine,' said Ian J. O'Neill, media relations specialist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 'If there was a threat, you would hear from us. We would always put out alerts on our planetary defence blog.'The asteroid is moving at a speed of nearly 47,000 miles per hour. Despite that, its trajectory has been calculated with such accuracy that scientists say they already know its path for the next hundred idea of a fast-moving space rock zipping past Earth sounds dramatic, but it's not unusual. 'Close approaches happen all the time — it's just part of the fabric of the solar system,' said Davide Farnocchia, an asteroid expert at NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). NASA keeps track of thousands of near-Earth objects (NEOs), including five currently expected to pass close by next week. Most are far smaller than 2025 OW and travel at much greater distances. While 2025 OW is larger than most, it does not qualify as hazardous. For that, an object needs to be more than 460 feet wide and come within 4.6 million miles of Earth's orbit. Even so, large asteroid impacts are incredibly rare. According to Farnocchia, 'For an object the size of 2025 OW, while close approaches might happen yearly, an actual Earth impact would only occur roughly every 10,000 years.'Not this time. Despite its size and speed, 2025 OW won't be visible without specialist equipment. 'It won't be visible through binoculars,' said there's something on the horizon that could be much more dramatic. A much larger asteroid, called 99942 Apophis, will pass significantly closer to Earth in April 2029 — just 38,000 kilometres away. That's closer than some of our which measures over 1,100 feet across, will be visible to the naked eye. For the public, it could be a rare chance to see an asteroid without needing a is hit by around 100 tons of space dust and small debris every day. It's mostly harmless and burns up in the atmosphere. Larger strikes are rare but not most recent example happened in 2013, when a 20-metre asteroid exploded above Chelyabinsk in Russia. It caused injuries and property damage. Events of that scale happen once every 60 to 80 years. The Tunguska explosion in 1908, caused by an asteroid possibly between 160 and 200 feet wide, flattened trees across over 2,000 square kilometres of Siberian forest. That type of event is expected only once every 200 to 300 terms of size, 2025 OW is in that same range. But unlike the Tunguska asteroid, we know exactly where 2025 OW is going — and it's not tracking capabilities have come a long way. Astronomers rely on a global network of telescopes, with data sent to the Minor Planet Center, the organisation responsible for collecting information on small solar system CNEOS uses that data to model orbits and predict flybys, often years or even decades in advance. There are currently over 30,000 recognised NEOs, out of more than 1.1 million known asteroids in our solar tools are also being developed. NASA's NEO Surveyor mission, along with the European Space Agency's NEOMIR and the Vera Rubin Observatory, aim to spot more asteroids, especially those that approach from the direction of the Sun — a known blind spot for many Earth-based big event on the calendar is Apophis in 2029. Originally discovered in 2004, early models gave it a slim chance of hitting Earth. But after years of observations, scientists have ruled out any impact for at least the next century.'Apophis will come within 38,000 kilometres of Earth in April 2029 — closer than our geostationary satellites,' Farnocchia close pass is expected to give scientists a rare chance to study the effects of Earth's gravity on the asteroid's orbit. Some models suggest that this flyby could slightly alter its path, but not enough to pose any danger in future passes.2025 OW will pass silently and safely. There will be no light show, no debris, and no need to prepare for impact. But it's a timely reminder of the constant motion above our heads, and the systems in place to monitor experts continue to keep watch, not because of 2025 OW, but because one day, a different object might be worth worrying about. Until then, we observe, we prepare, and we learn.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Plane-sized Asteroid 2025 OW will fly-by at 47,000 mph this week, but NASA scientists say it's nothing new
Not a rare event Live Events Will you be able to see it? What we've learned from past impacts How scientists monitor space rocks Apophis in 2029 (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel An asteroid roughly the size of a commercial aeroplane is expected to pass Earth on 28 July, according to NASA . The object, known as 2025 OW, is about 210 feet across and will fly by at a distance of approximately 393,000 miles. That's about one and a half times farther than the experts are clear: there's nothing to worry about. 'This is very routine,' said Ian J. O'Neill, media relations specialist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 'If there was a threat, you would hear from us. We would always put out alerts on our planetary defence blog.'The asteroid is moving at a speed of nearly 47,000 miles per hour. Despite that, its trajectory has been calculated with such accuracy that scientists say they already know its path for the next hundred idea of a fast-moving space rock zipping past Earth sounds dramatic, but it's not unusual. 'Close approaches happen all the time — it's just part of the fabric of the solar system,' said Davide Farnocchia, an asteroid expert at NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies ( CNEOS ).NASA keeps track of thousands of near-Earth objects (NEOs), including five currently expected to pass close by next week. Most are far smaller than 2025 OW and travel at much greater distances. While 2025 OW is larger than most, it does not qualify as hazardous. For that, an object needs to be more than 460 feet wide and come within 4.6 million miles of Earth's so, large asteroid impacts are incredibly rare. According to Farnocchia, 'For an object the size of 2025 OW, while close approaches might happen yearly, an actual Earth impact would only occur roughly every 10,000 years.'Not this time. Despite its size and speed, 2025 OW won't be visible without specialist equipment. 'It won't be visible through binoculars,' said there's something on the horizon that could be much more dramatic. A much larger asteroid, called 99942 Apophis , will pass significantly closer to Earth in April 2029 — just 38,000 kilometres away. That's closer than some of our which measures over 1,100 feet across, will be visible to the naked eye. For the public, it could be a rare chance to see an asteroid without needing a is hit by around 100 tons of space dust and small debris every day. It's mostly harmless and burns up in the atmosphere. Larger strikes are rare but not most recent example happened in 2013, when a 20-metre asteroid exploded above Chelyabinsk in Russia. It caused injuries and property damage. Events of that scale happen once every 60 to 80 years. The Tunguska explosion in 1908, caused by an asteroid possibly between 160 and 200 feet wide, flattened trees across over 2,000 square kilometres of Siberian forest. That type of event is expected only once every 200 to 300 terms of size, 2025 OW is in that same range. But unlike the Tunguska asteroid, we know exactly where 2025 OW is going — and it's not tracking capabilities have come a long way. Astronomers rely on a global network of telescopes, with data sent to the Minor Planet Center, the organisation responsible for collecting information on small solar system CNEOS uses that data to model orbits and predict flybys, often years or even decades in advance. There are currently over 30,000 recognised NEOs, out of more than 1.1 million known asteroids in our solar tools are also being developed. NASA's NEO Surveyor mission, along with the European Space Agency's NEOMIR and the Vera Rubin Observatory, aim to spot more asteroids, especially those that approach from the direction of the Sun — a known blind spot for many Earth-based big event on the calendar is Apophis in 2029. Originally discovered in 2004, early models gave it a slim chance of hitting Earth. But after years of observations, scientists have ruled out any impact for at least the next century.'Apophis will come within 38,000 kilometres of Earth in April 2029 — closer than our geostationary satellites,' Farnocchia close pass is expected to give scientists a rare chance to study the effects of Earth's gravity on the asteroid's orbit. Some models suggest that this flyby could slightly alter its path, but not enough to pose any danger in future passes.2025 OW will pass silently and safely. There will be no light show, no debris, and no need to prepare for impact. But it's a timely reminder of the constant motion above our heads, and the systems in place to monitor experts continue to keep watch, not because of 2025 OW, but because one day, a different object might be worth worrying about. Until then, we observe, we prepare, and we learn.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Asteroid as big as an airplane to pass earth: Here's when and if you can see it
On July 28, 2025—an asteroid roughly 230 feet across (think the size of a large airplane) named 2025 OW will zip past Earth at nearly 47,000 miles per hour, sailing by at a comfortable distance of about 393,000 miles—that's about 1.6 times farther than the Moon. But before you grab your flashlight and bunker gear, take some deep breaths. NASA says this is completely routine. Even though the rock is big enough to get attention, it poses absolutely no threat to Earth. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) stress that fast-moving space rocks are just part of everyday life in the solar system. 'Close approaches happen all the time,' NASA's media specialist Ian J. O'Neill told ABC News, 'and if there was any threat, you'd hear about it clearly from us.' So yes, the asteroid is big—but its orbit is mapped out with precision, and scientists know exactly where it's going to be for the next century. In short: no surprises, no panic, just routine monitoring. Can you see it? Not this time Curious to catch a glimpse of 2025 OW through binoculars or a telescope? Don't bother. According to Davide Farnocchia, an asteroid expert at NASA, it won't be visible to the naked eye or standard backyard gear. But the stage is set for a much cooler spectacle coming in 2029, when asteroid Apophis makes an even closer pass—close enough to be visible from Earth without equipment Just how often do asteroids come close? A lot more than you'd think. Smaller rocks and space dust—about 100 tons daily—hit Earth harmlessly as they burn up in the atmosphere. Larger asteroids, like 2025 OW, pass near Earth every few years, but Earth impacts of that size happen roughly once every 10,000 years. For real danger to become a concern, the object would have to be at least 460 feet wide and close enough to cross Earth's orbit in a risky way. 2025 OW doesn't tick those boxes, even though it's bigger than 150 feet What's next after 2025 OW? Apophis 2029 The next head-turner in asteroid news is 99942 Apophis, due to zoom past Earth in April 2029, at just 38,000 km—which is closer than geostationary satellites. It's about 1,100 feet wide, and early predictions of possible impact have since been ruled out for at least the next century, according to NASA. "Asteroid Apophis will safely pass close to Earth on April 13, 2029," NASA says. Monitoring asteroids like 2025 OW is part of NASA's planetary defense mission—basically an early-warning radar for killer space rocks. Even if most asteroids pose zero risk, the idea is to catch potential threats before they get close, so we can plan mitigation—think spacecraft diversion or evacuation strategies. When objects like YR4 or Apophis show up, scientists run simulations, refine orbits, and assess risk over years. So yes, a plane-sized asteroid is cruising by Earth on July 28th, but there's no cause for alarm. Space is busy with close calls all the time—most of which we don't even feel or notice. NASA's tracking programs give us peace of mind—and a reason to stay excited about cosmic neighbors we never see. Keep an eye on the headlines for 2029's Apophis, which might actually put on a visible-light show. And don't sweat 2025 OW—it's a friendly reminder of our ongoing lunar and planetary watchdog operations.
Metro
5 days ago
- Science
- Metro
Asteroid the size of the Tower of Pisa to make close approach with Earth in days
If you've always wanted to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, all you'll need to do is look up next week. An asteroid roughly the size of the famous Italian landmark is currently hurtling towards Earth at 46,908 miles per hour. The space rock, 2025 OW, will drift past our planet next Monday at a distance of 393,000 miles – about 1.6 times the distance to the Moon. Space officials estimate the rock is about 220 feet across, making it larger than the Leaning Tower of Pisa at 185 feet. 2025 OW is one of five 'planet-sized' asteroids getting up, close and personal with our planet over the next few days, Nasa says. The space agency's Asteroid Watch Dashboard says that 2025 OK1, which is estimated to be about 100 feet across, will fly past us today at a distance of 1,360,000 miles. Another airplane-sized asteroid, 2025-OZ, is also doing a drive-by visit of our home today. As you read this, it's about 3,340,000 miles away. On Saturday, two more giant asteroids will pass by Earth on Saturday: the 110-foot-wide 2025 OX will be 2,810,000 miles above your head. While 2025 OU1, about 140 feet across, will be slightly closer at 1,660,000 miles. But none of these rocks are anything to lose sleep over, astrophysicist, science journalist Alfredo Carpineti told Metro. 'There are over 13,000 near-Earth objects of comparative size that occasionally get near our planet,' the senior writer for IFLScience said. 'They could be dangerous if they hit Earth, but fortunately, these five will all fly well beyond the movement of the Moon.' Asteroids are lumps of rock, dust and metal left behind from the formation of our star system 4.6billion years ago. Most do laps around the Sun between Mars and Jupiter in the asteroid belt, some as small as rubble, and others hundreds of miles in diameter. Earth will be slammed by an asteroid about 300 feet once a decade, while one 10 times the size impacts us every 700,000 years. A space rock measuring just 160 feet in diameter can easily devastate the local area and pockmark the Earth, unleashing a force similar to a nuclear bomb – these happen once a millennium. The so-called 'city-killer' asteroid, 2024 YR4, which officials briefly feared had a 3.1% chance of colliding with Earth, is suspected to be 300 feet across. Our planetary defence options include intentionally smashing a satellite into it to nudge it off course or detonating a nuclear bomb near it. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California and the Near-Earth Object Coordination Centre in Italy keep an eye on all these rocks whizzing about. They calculate the odds of an asteroid impact as they plot out the possible orbits, which get more accurate as they observe them more. More Trending This is exactly the case with 2025 OW, with scientists being able to predict its orbit for the next century. As of July, Nasa has discovered more than 38,600 near-Earth asteroids, of which 872 are larger than a kilometre. At least seven wandered close to Earth last month alone, with Nasa keeping an eye on 1,798 near-Earth objects on its 'risk list', though all have next to no chance of striking Earth. 'Still,' continued Carpineti, 'it's important we keep tracking them to know we will stay safe in the future.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: We could get 'proof of aliens by Christmas' after 'interstellar visitor' flies past us MORE: Earth is spinning so fast that today will be shorter – but is time going faster? MORE: We're one step closer to living on the Moon – and it's thanks to something 'magic'
NDTV
6 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Asteroid Alert: NASA Tracks Airplane-Sized Space Rock As It Approaches Earth
An asteroid, named 2025 OW, is scheduled to pass Earth next week. It is estimated to be about 210 feet across, roughly the size of a large airplane. The asteroid will make its closest approach to Earth on July 28, travelling at a speed of approximately 46,908 miles per hour. It will pass our planet at a distance of around 393,000 miles. According to NASA, the asteroid poses no threat to Earth. Ian J O'Neill, who is the media relations specialist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), told ABC News, "This is very routine." "If there was a threat, you would hear from us. We would always put out alerts on our planetary defense blog." "We know exactly where it's going to be. We'll probably know where it's going to be for the next 100 years," O'Neill added. Another expert, Davide Farnocchia, an asteroid expert at NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), told the outlet: "Close approaches happen all the time, it's just part of the fabric of the solar system." Will this asteroid be visible? Farnocchia explained that it won't be visible with binoculars. He, however, mentioned that another exciting event will come in 2029 when asteroid Apophis will approach Earth. "Apophis will come within 38,000 kilometers of Earth in April 2029, closer than our geostationary satellites," Farnocchia said. NASA is also tracking another aeroplane-sized asteroid, 2025 OX, which will fly past Earth on July 26 at a distance of 2,810,000 miles. Asteroids larger than 150 meters in diameter and coming within 7.4 million kilometres of Earth are considered potentially hazardous. Since 2025 OW is larger than the size threshold but will pass at a safe distance, it's worth monitoring. Other asteroids passing by Earth recently included 2025 MM, an airplane-sized asteroid, that passed by Earth on July 1. It measured around 120 feet wide and travelled at 23,874 miles per hour. Another asteroid named 2025 KX8, a 120-foot space rock, also flew by Earth on June 4, passing at a distance of approximately 1.99 million kilometres. An asteroid, 2025 MG1, about 130 feet wide, zoomed safely past Earth on July 12 at a distance of over 3 million kilometres.
