Latest news with #PotentiallyHazardousAsteroid
Time of India
5 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
NASA monitors asteroid 2025 OT7 as it approaches Earth on August 5: Size, speed and flyby distance revealed
Earth is frequently visited by objects from deep space, ranging from tiny meteorites to massive asteroids that capture global attention. One such celestial traveler, asteroid 2025 OT7, is now at the center of interest as it prepares for a close approach to Earth on August 5, 2025. Its remarkable size, high velocity, and unique orbital path have made it a key subject for astronomers and sky watchers worldwide. Events like these emphasise the importance of continuously tracking near-Earth objects (NEOs) to understand their behaviour better, refine monitoring technology, and strengthen planetary defense strategies . The upcoming flyby of asteroid 2025 OT7 serves as a reminder of how dynamic our solar system truly is and why vigilance in space observation is essential. NASA tracks 170 feet asteroid 2025 OT7 to close flyby on August 5: Speed and distance Asteroid 2025 OT7 is estimated to be about 170 feet (52 meters) wide, roughly comparable to the height of a 16-story building. It is traveling at an impressive speed of 48,431 miles per hour (77,955 km/h), covering vast distances in space within seconds. During its closest approach, the asteroid will pass at a distance of 2.7 million miles (4.3 million kilometers) from Earth. Although this may seem like an extremely safe distance, astronomers categorise such flybys as relatively close because OT7 belongs to the Aten group of asteroids, which often cross Earth's orbital path. These types of asteroids are constantly monitored due to their dynamic orbits and potential to shift over time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 20 Things You Should Stop Wearing After 40 Undo NASA has strict criteria for classifying an asteroid as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA). For an object to fall under this category, it must have a diameter of more than 85 meters (279 feet) and pass within 7.4 million kilometers (4.6 million miles) of Earth. While asteroid 2025 OT7 is passing within the monitoring zone, it does not meet the size threshold. This means there is no immediate danger and its orbit is well understood, with no risk of collision during this flyby. Importance of monitoring space rocks Even when an asteroid does not pose a direct threat, it remains crucial to track and study its movement. Small gravitational shifts or interactions with other celestial bodies could potentially alter an asteroid's trajectory over time. That is why space agencies like NASA, ESA, JAXA, and ISRO keep a constant watch on near-Earth objects like 2025 OT7. India, under the guidance of ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, has shown keen interest in asteroid research and exploration. Plans are already in motion to study larger asteroids such as Apophis, which will pass extremely close to Earth in 2029. ISRO also aims to collaborate internationally on future asteroid landing missions, further enhancing planetary defense efforts. What makes asteroid 2025 OT7 significant The flyby of asteroid 2025 OT7 is significant, not because of danger, but because it serves as a reminder of the constant activity within our solar system. Close approaches like this demonstrate Earth's vulnerability to celestial events and reinforce why global monitoring systems are so important. They also present opportunities to test and refine advanced tracking technologies and engage the public in space science. For astronomers and researchers, this flyby offers valuable observational data that can be used to improve our understanding of asteroid compositions, movements, and long-term trajectories. For the general public, it sparks interest in space exploration and emphasizes the need for planetary defense strategies. Planetary defense progress with NASA DART and global missions In recent years, planetary defense has moved from science fiction to reality. NASA's DART mission, which successfully altered the orbit of asteroid Dimorphos in 2022, proved that humans have the capability to influence the path of small celestial bodies. This breakthrough has inspired similar efforts worldwide. The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing its Hera mission to further study the effects of DART's impact, while ISRO and other agencies are exploring their own asteroid observation and mitigation programs. Together, these efforts create a global network designed to ensure early detection and potential deflection of hazardous space objects. Also Read | NASA astronaut recalls awe-inspiring view of Mumbai and Delhi's night lights from space: 'India looks magical'
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Asteroid with power of 1000 nuclear bombs is moving towards Earth: All you need to know
Image credits: X/@amritabhinder A colossal space rock about the length of three football fields and a diameter of approximately 335 metres will be moving close to Earth on May 24, 2025. Known as Asteroid 2003 MH4, the rock is moving through space at the speed of 14 kilometres per second. Its size and velocity have drawn concerns from the global scientific community with NASA's Center for Near-Earth-Object-Studies (CNEOS) and planetary defense teams tracking its trajectory. When will Asteroid 2003 MH4 come near Earth? The asteroid is set to pass at a distance of 6.68 million kilometres from Earth on May 24, 2025, at 10:37 UTC. It will be roughly 17 times closer to Earth than the moon and while this distance might seem far in everyday terms, astronomers consider such proximity significant especially for an object of this size. Should humans be scared? Asteroid 2003 MH4 has been classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA). This category is reserved for space objects larger than 150 metres that come within 7.5 million kilometres of Earth. While this does not imply a collision it does require constant monitoring to see if the asteroid's movement changes in the slightest because of the gravitational interaction with planets or subtle Yarkovsky effect from solar radiation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo A hit from an asteroid this size could unleash energy equal to a thousand nuclear bombs, causing widespread tsunamis, and fires and triggering a global "impact winter" It also belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids known for their Earth-crossing orbits which can sometimes come too close to Earth. These asteroids are specifically hazardous because they have the ability to come close to Earth and sometimes even crash. Thus, while the chances of the asteroid hitting Earth seem pretty low, it highlights how important planetary defence initiatives are in monitoring and protecting the planet and its people.
India Today
23-05-2025
- Science
- India Today
Asteroid with power of 1,000 nuclear bombs to come dangerously close to Earth
Asteroid 2003 MH4, a colossal space rock measuring approximately 335 meters in diameter—about the length of three football fields—will make a close approach to Earth on May 24, through space at a staggering 14 kilometers per second, this asteroid's size and velocity have drawn intense scrutiny from the global scientific community, even though there is no immediate threat to our Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) and planetary defense teams are vigilantly tracking 2003 MH4's trajectory. The asteroid is set to pass at a distance of 6.68 million kilometers from Earth—roughly 17 times closer than the distance between the Earth and the Moon. While this might seem vast in everyday terms, astronomers consider such proximity significant, especially for an object of this 2003 MH4 is classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA), a designation reserved for space objects larger than 150 meters that come within 7.5 million kilometers of status does not imply an imminent collision but highlights the necessity for ongoing monitoring, as even slight changes in an asteroid's path—caused by gravitational interactions with planets or the subtle Yarkovsky effect from solar radiation—could alter its future asteroid's composition, density, and reflective properties are also under close examination, as these characteristics can influence its orbital behaviour and potential risk 2003 MH4 belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids, known for their Earth-crossing orbits, which can sometimes bring them uncomfortably close to our emphasise that while the likelihood of an impact from 2003 MH4 remains extremely low, the flyby serves as a stark reminder of the importance of planetary defense initiatives.A direct hit from an asteroid of this size could unleash energy equivalent to thousands of nuclear bombs, causing widespread devastation, fires, tsunamis, and potentially triggering a global 'impact winter'.
