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Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
NASA alert! Stadium-sized asteroid 1997 QK1 set for close flyby of Earth on August 20 at 22,000 mph; here's what you need to know
Asteroids have long fascinated scientists and the public alike, serving as reminders of both the beauty and unpredictability of our universe. These rocky remnants from the solar system's formation often pass through Earth's neighborhood, sometimes sparking excitement and curiosity when they come unusually close. While most of these flybys are harmless, they provide valuable opportunities for researchers to study asteroid behavior, refine orbital models, and improve planetary defense systems. NASA , along with other global space agencies, closely monitors such events to ensure Earth's safety and to expand our understanding of near-Earth objects. One such asteroid making headlines now is 1997 QK1, a massive space rock expected to pass Earth on August 20, 2025, during a safe but significant flyby. NASA confirms asteroid 1997 QK1 will pass Earth on August 20: Size and distance Asteroid 1997 QK1 was first detected in the late 1990s and has been tracked ever since. It belongs to the Aten group of near-Earth asteroids, named after the Egyptian sun god Aten. These asteroids are unique because their orbits cross Earth's path around the Sun, making them frequent candidates for close encounters. This asteroid's large size makes it particularly notable. To put its dimensions into perspective: It is longer than three football fields lined up. If it ever struck Earth, it could cause regional devastation, though not global extinction like the asteroid linked to the dinosaurs' demise. Fortunately, its trajectory ensures it will remain safely distant during this flyby. On August 20, the asteroid will pass within 1.87 million miles (3 million kilometers) of Earth. While this may sound vast, in astronomical terms it qualifies as a close approach. For comparison: The Moon orbits Earth at about 238,855 miles (384,400 km). This asteroid will pass roughly eight times farther than the Moon's distance. Though distant in human terms, space agencies classify such encounters as significant because they allow researchers to refine orbital predictions and study asteroid behavior more closely. Why Asteroid 1997 QK1 is not a threat Asteroids are classified as Potentially Hazardous Objects (PHOs) if they meet two conditions: They are larger than 140 meters (460 feet). They come within 4.6 million miles (7.4 million km) of Earth. Asteroid 1997 QK1 meets both criteria, but 'potentially hazardous' does not mean 'imminently dangerous.' Instead, it signals that its path deserves careful tracking. NASA's precise calculations confirm that this flyby is safe, with no risk of impact now or in the near future. Why NASA and global space agencies track asteroids Asteroid monitoring is a cornerstone of planetary defense. Even small changes in an asteroid's orbit—caused by gravitational nudges from planets or effects like the Yarkovsky effect (when sunlight heats one side of an asteroid, slowly altering its trajectory)—can shift its long-term path. By observing asteroids like 1997 QK1, scientists aim to: Improve orbital models to predict future movements. Assess their composition, density, and spin rate. Explore strategies for deflection missions if a dangerous asteroid is discovered in the future. Notably, NASA's DART mission (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) in 2022 demonstrated the possibility of altering an asteroid's orbit by deliberately crashing a spacecraft into it—an important milestone in planetary defense. India's ISRO plans future missions to study near-Earth asteroids The interest in asteroids is not limited to NASA. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has outlined plans for participation in global asteroid studies. According to ISRO Chairman S. Somanath, future missions may include research on larger near-Earth objects, especially as the world prepares for the highly anticipated close approach of asteroid Apophis in 2029. International collaborations involving NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and JAXA (Japan) are essential, as planetary defense requires shared data and joint strategies. By pooling resources and expertise, space agencies ensure Earth is better prepared for cosmic encounters. Why asteroid 1997 QK1's flyby is a scientific opportunity for NASA and ISRO The flyby of 1997 QK1 is more than a cosmic spectacle—it is a scientific opportunity. Studying such objects helps researchers uncover: Clues about the solar system's formation, since asteroids are primitive building blocks of planets. Insights into their structural integrity, important for future resource mining or deflection missions. Better risk assessment models, ensuring preparedness for genuine threats. Although harmless, this event underscores the importance of constant vigilance. The universe is filled with millions of space rocks, and only careful monitoring can separate harmless visitors from those that could alter life on Earth. Also Read | NASA intern Thad Roberts stole $21 million in moon rocks from Johnson Space Center for love; shocked the world
Newsweek
14-08-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
House-Sized Asteroid Approaching Earth, NASA Reports
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. NASA is tracking a house-sized asteroid set to zip past the Earth on August 16 at around 17,717 miles per hour. Known as 2025 PR1, the space rock is estimated to be about 55 feet across and will make its closest approach on Saturday, at a distance of 609,000 miles, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Three more space rocks are expected to zoom past the Earth next week. On August 17, a plane-sized asteroid known as 2025 PM, will make its closest approach at a distance of 654,000 miles. On August 20, two asteroids will follow. A stadium-sized asteroid, 990 feet across, known as 1997 QK1 will pass within 1,870,000 miles, followed by 2025 OV4, 160 feet across, which will come as close as 1,800,000 miles away. A stock image shows an asteroid zipping past the Earth, as seen from space. A stock image shows an asteroid zipping past the Earth, as seen from space. getty images Small asteroids up to 30 feet across impact the Earth about once in a decade. They typically cause a bright fireball and a strong sonic boom—and may break the odd window—but they do not usually cause much destruction. Back in February, a 174 to 220 feet asteroid—"2024 YR4"—was estimated to have a 3.1 percent chance of impacting the Earth in 2032, which was "the highest impact probability NASA has ever recorded for an object of this size or larger." A space rock this big could level a whole city upon impact with Earth. However, refined projections suggest that impact with Earth is very unlikely, and some scientists now believe that 2024 YR4 might be on its course to impact the moon in December 2032 instead. "Asteroid 2024 YR4 is now too far away to observe with either space or ground-based telescopes. NASA expects to make further observations when the asteroid's orbit around the Sun brings it back into the vicinity of Earth in 2028," NASA said. Additional data from the NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), shows that the probability of the asteroid impacting the Moon has increased slightly, from 3.8 percent to 4.3 percent. However, CNEOS also notes that even in the unlikely event that it does make an impact, this would not alter the Moon's orbit. Scientists from South Korea's Pusan National University recently studied another huge near-Earth asteroid—Bennu. This 1,640 feet wide space rock is predicted to have a one-in-2,700 chance of colliding with the Earth in the September of 2182. While an impact is very unlikely, the consequences of such could be catastrophic. The shock waves generated by the impact of the collision would cause earthquakes, wildfires and thermal radiation. It would also leave a large crater and eject debris upward. Atmospheric chemistry and global photosynthesis would be disrupted for between three to four years, as a result of the 100–400 million tons of dust that would be injected into the atmosphere due to the impact. The average surface temperature would decrease by around 7 degrees Fahrenheit, the average rainfall would fall by 15 percent, and the ozone layer would deplete by 32 percent. Even plant photosynthesis would decrease by between 20 and 30 percent. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about asteroids? Let us know via science@
