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NASA alert: 10-storey tall asteroid to fly past earth tomorrow at 22,500 km/h. Size, distance & more

NASA alert: 10-storey tall asteroid to fly past earth tomorrow at 22,500 km/h. Size, distance & more

Synopsis
An asteroid named 2022 YS5 will pass close to Earth tomorrow. The asteroid is about 120 feet in diameter. It will travel at a speed of 22,500 km/h. NASA and ISRO confirm that it is not a threat. ISRO is preparing for future asteroid threats like Apophis in 2029. Continuous monitoring of Near-Earth Objects is critical for planetary defense.
Agencies Representative Image A massive asteroid roughly the size of a building is set to make a close approach to Earth tomorrow, July 17. Named Asteroid 2022 YS5, the space rock will zoom past at a staggering speed of 22,500 km/h, but both NASA and ISRO have confirmed that it poses no threat to our planet.According to NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), 2022 YS5 is about 120 feet (36.5 meters) in diameter—comparable to a 10-storey building. While its size may raise eyebrows, it's not large enough to be classified as 'potentially hazardous.'
The asteroid will pass Earth at a distance of 4.15 million kilometers (about 2.58 million miles). Although this may sound far, it's considered relatively close in cosmic terms—especially at its speed of over 22,500 km/h.NASA classifies an asteroid as "potentially hazardous" only if it's larger than 85 meters in diameter, andpasses within 7.4 million kilometers of Earth. Since 2022 YS5 falls short on both criteria, it will be closely monitored but not considered dangerous.
According to reports ISRO will be studying the 2022 YS5 in preparation for asteroid Apophis, which will make a very close approach in 2029. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath has emphasized the need for early detection, advanced monitoring, and possible deflection strategies. Collaborative efforts with NASA, ESA, and JAXA are already underway to develop missions that could land on asteroids, analyze them, and test ways to alter their trajectories.
While 2022 YS5 is harmless, many experts caution that even smaller asteroids, like 2022 YS5, can change course over time due to factors like gravitational pulls or solar radiation. Continuous monitoring of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) is critical to identify potential risks early and respond accordingly.
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