Four asteroids, including a stadium-sized one, speeding towards Earth
Earth is set to witness the close, but safe, passage of several massive asteroids in the coming days. According to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, four asteroids will fly by Earth between May 23 and May 25, 2025. The largest of the group is asteroid 387746 (2003 MH4), measuring approximately 1,100 feet, which is roughly the size of a stadium.
On May 23, asteroid 2025 KC, which is almost the size of a house, will fly by Earth at a safe distance of 636,000 km, posing no threat to the planet. On May 24, two more asteroids – 2025 KL and 387746 (2003 MH4), will make their closest approaches, passing at 1,910,000 km and 4,150,000 km respectively. Finally, 2025 KM will skim past Earth on May 25, with its closest approach estimated at 960,000 km.
Asteroids, also known as planetoids, are rocky objects that orbit the Sun. While many originate within our solar system, formed during its early years, some may come from interstellar space. Although these space rocks frequently pass Earth, most reside in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. While the majority of asteroids are harmless, a collision with a massive one could cause significant destruction.
Asteroid spotting is a routine part of modern space observation. Owing to advanced telescopes and monitoring programs like NASA's Near-Earth Object Observations, scientists regularly monitor thousands of space rocks to assess any potential threats.
Most of these asteroids pass harmlessly, but spotting them early is important for planetary defence. This data also aids researchers in understanding the solar system's history. Tracking these space rocks allows for precise orbital calculations, and in rare cases of potential impact. Most importantly, it gives us time to prepare or deflect the threat in advance.
NASA reports that car-sized meteorites strike Earth roughly once a year. Meanwhile, football-field-sized asteroids pass by about once every 2,000 years. The damage from an asteroid impact depends on its mass, speed, angle of entry, and the location of impact. Fortunately, most space rocks are statistically more likely to fall into oceans or uninhabited regions.
(This article has been curated by Disha Gupta, intern at The Indian Express.)
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