NASA has identified a stadium-sized asteroid that is classified as “potentially hazardous” due to its proximity to Earth. The asteroid, which spans around 600 feet in diameter, is expected to pass near the planet in the coming days, though it poses no immediate threat of impact.
The asteroid is being closely monitored by NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), which tracks celestial bodies that come within a certain distance of Earth. This particular asteroid is set to move within approximately 2.5 million miles of Earth—relatively close in astronomical terms, though still a safe distance.
NASA categorizes asteroids as potentially hazardous when their orbits bring them within 4.6 million miles of Earth and they are over 500 feet in size. These space rocks are watched carefully to assess any long-term risk of collision with Earth. However, experts emphasize that despite its size and proximity, this asteroid does not pose a significant danger during its current approach.
Astronomers have been studying near-Earth objects (NEOs) like this one to improve predictions about potential threats from space. NASA’s efforts to catalog and monitor such objects are part of a broader planetary defense strategy, which includes missions like DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) aimed at developing technology to deflect asteroids in the future, should a real threat emerge.
While the asteroid’s close pass will not be visible to the naked eye, those with telescopes may be able to spot it as it travels through space. This encounter offers another opportunity for scientists to gather more data on such objects and refine methods for tracking their movements in the solar system.
NASA reassures the public that these types of asteroids, though classified as hazardous, rarely pose a significant risk to Earth, and their orbits are well understood thanks to advanced monitoring systems. Nonetheless, the agency remains vigilant in its ongoing efforts to safeguard the planet from potential asteroid impacts.