Latest news with #NEOs
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Science
- Newsweek
Scientists Calculate Odds of City-Killer-Size Asteroid Hitting Earth
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. An asteroid is the most likely reason the dinosaurs went extinct—but could something similar happen to us? A new study has compared the likelihood of a devastating asteroid impact to other causes of death, revealing some surprising results about our chances of being struck in our lifetime. The research, set to be published in The Planetary Science Journal, aims to put these cosmic risks into a clearer perspective and highlight the importance of planetary defense initiatives. An asteroid approaching planet Earth. An asteroid approaching planet Earth. buradaki/Getty Images The Odds of a Killer Asteroid In their study, physicist professor Carrie Nugent of the Olin College of Engineering in Massachusetts and her colleagues simulated the orbits of five million near-Earth objects (NEOs) with diameters greater than 140 meters. By tracking potential Earth impacts over 150 years, they were able to calculate the frequency of such events. The authors found that the chance of an asteroid greater than 140 meters hitting the Earth is more likely than both the chance of an individual being struck by lightning—or attacked by a coyote. Analysis also revealed that the estimated impact frequency for NEOs larger than 140 meters is about one every 11,000 years. According to the researchers, the work provides a framework for policymakers to "prioritize planetary defense and encourage funding for asteroid detection and deflection missions if need be." What Would Happen if an Asteroid Hit Earth? The effects of an asteroid impact would vary widely, depending on several factors, including its size, where it lands and its velocity. The researchers said that a 140−200 meter NEO landing in the ocean may have zero fatalities, while a slightly larger one has the chance of affecting one million people if it hits a highly populated area. Even larger NEOs would affect the entire world if they hit. Even if a NEO were to strike Earth, the researchers noted, "there is still a good chance that most people would survive if it were on the smaller end." The Case for Planetary Defense The study is not meant to fuel fears but to provide a clear argument for planetary defense by putting the risks of asteroid impacts into context. The researchers pointed to NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Mission, which proved that humans can design spacecraft capable of deflecting asteroids. A recent report from the National Academies explored planetary defense, the researchers noted, adding: "The committee considers work on this problem as insurance, with the premiums devoted wholly toward preventing the tragedy." This perspective ultimately frames the effort not as simply a response to an imminent threat—but as an essential safeguard for the future of the planet. 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@ Reference Nugent, C. R., Andersen, K. P., Bauer, J. M., Jensen, C. T., Kristiansen, L. K., Hansen, C. P., Nielsen, M. M., & Vestergård, C. F. (2025). Placing the Near-Earth Object Impact Probability in Context. The Planetary Science Journal, 6(8), 190.
Economic Times
08-08-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
Look Up! An asteroid taller than a 30-story building and another the size of a jumbo jet to pass Earth. Here's what NASA says
Synopsis NASA reports two asteroids will closely approach Earth on August 8, 2025. Asteroid (2025 OJ1) is about 300 feet wide. Asteroid (2019 CO1) is about 200 feet wide. Both will pass millions of miles away. There is no impact risk to Earth. NASA monitors near-Earth objects for potential future threats. These flybys highlight the importance of planetary defense efforts. Representative image NASA has issued an alert about two massive asteroids set to make close approaches to Earth on Friday, August 8, 2025. While there's no risk of impact, their impressive size, high velocity, and same-day flybys have sparked interest among scientists and space enthusiasts first asteroid, designated (2025 OJ1), measures around 300 feet (91 meters) in diameter—roughly the height of a 30-story skyscraper. According to NASA's Near-Earth Object tracking system, it will pass at a distance of 3.2 million miles (5.15 million km) from Earth—about 13 times farther than the Moon. Despite the safe distance, astronomers are keen to observe its high-speed journey through near-Earth space. Powerful telescopes will capture its brief appearance, providing valuable data on asteroid composition, orbit, and the spotlight on the same day is (2019 CO1), an asteroid about 200 feet (61 meters) wide—similar in size to a large commercial airplane. It will pass Earth at 4.24 million miles (6.82 million km), making it slightly farther than (2025 OJ1) but still considered a close approach in astronomical smaller size doesn't make it less interesting—its speed and orbital path are closely monitored, adding to the day's rare double flyby excitement. NASA has reassured the public that neither asteroid poses any danger to Earth. Advanced tracking confirms both will safely pass without entering our atmosphere or causing any disruption. Close approaches like these happen regularly and are part of the solar system's natural Objects (NEOs) are comets or asteroids with orbits bringing them near our planet. While most pass harmlessly, some could pose a threat in the distant future. That's why agencies like NASA continuously monitor their paths—early detection can be crucial for planetary defense, allowing time for mitigation or deflection efforts if can follow NASA's updates on these events via:NASA's Near-Earth Object Web PortalSocial media posts from the Planetary Defense Coordination OfficeLive streams during notable flybysAmateur astronomer networks also share real-time observation tips during such twin flybys of (2025 OJ1) and (2019 CO1) on August 8 serve as a reminder of the fast-moving and unpredictable environment of near-Earth space. Thanks to NASA's technology and vigilance, Earth remains well-protected from potential asteroid threats—reinforcing the importance of continued investment in planetary defense as humanity's eyes turn to the skies.
Time of India
05-08-2025
- 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'
Economic Times
27-07-2025
- Science
- Economic Times
Plane-sized Asteroid 2025 OW will fly-by at 47,000 mph this week, but NASA scientists say it's nothing new
An asteroid roughly the size of a commercial aeroplane is expected to pass Earth on 28 July, according to NASA. The object, known as 2025 OW, is about 210 feet across and will fly by at a distance of approximately 393,000 miles. That's about one and a half times farther than the experts are clear: there's nothing to worry about. 'This is very routine,' said Ian J. O'Neill, media relations specialist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 'If there was a threat, you would hear from us. We would always put out alerts on our planetary defence blog.'The asteroid is moving at a speed of nearly 47,000 miles per hour. Despite that, its trajectory has been calculated with such accuracy that scientists say they already know its path for the next hundred idea of a fast-moving space rock zipping past Earth sounds dramatic, but it's not unusual. 'Close approaches happen all the time — it's just part of the fabric of the solar system,' said Davide Farnocchia, an asteroid expert at NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). NASA keeps track of thousands of near-Earth objects (NEOs), including five currently expected to pass close by next week. Most are far smaller than 2025 OW and travel at much greater distances. While 2025 OW is larger than most, it does not qualify as hazardous. For that, an object needs to be more than 460 feet wide and come within 4.6 million miles of Earth's orbit. Even so, large asteroid impacts are incredibly rare. According to Farnocchia, 'For an object the size of 2025 OW, while close approaches might happen yearly, an actual Earth impact would only occur roughly every 10,000 years.'Not this time. Despite its size and speed, 2025 OW won't be visible without specialist equipment. 'It won't be visible through binoculars,' said there's something on the horizon that could be much more dramatic. A much larger asteroid, called 99942 Apophis, will pass significantly closer to Earth in April 2029 — just 38,000 kilometres away. That's closer than some of our which measures over 1,100 feet across, will be visible to the naked eye. For the public, it could be a rare chance to see an asteroid without needing a is hit by around 100 tons of space dust and small debris every day. It's mostly harmless and burns up in the atmosphere. Larger strikes are rare but not most recent example happened in 2013, when a 20-metre asteroid exploded above Chelyabinsk in Russia. It caused injuries and property damage. Events of that scale happen once every 60 to 80 years. The Tunguska explosion in 1908, caused by an asteroid possibly between 160 and 200 feet wide, flattened trees across over 2,000 square kilometres of Siberian forest. That type of event is expected only once every 200 to 300 terms of size, 2025 OW is in that same range. But unlike the Tunguska asteroid, we know exactly where 2025 OW is going — and it's not tracking capabilities have come a long way. Astronomers rely on a global network of telescopes, with data sent to the Minor Planet Center, the organisation responsible for collecting information on small solar system CNEOS uses that data to model orbits and predict flybys, often years or even decades in advance. There are currently over 30,000 recognised NEOs, out of more than 1.1 million known asteroids in our solar tools are also being developed. NASA's NEO Surveyor mission, along with the European Space Agency's NEOMIR and the Vera Rubin Observatory, aim to spot more asteroids, especially those that approach from the direction of the Sun — a known blind spot for many Earth-based big event on the calendar is Apophis in 2029. Originally discovered in 2004, early models gave it a slim chance of hitting Earth. But after years of observations, scientists have ruled out any impact for at least the next century.'Apophis will come within 38,000 kilometres of Earth in April 2029 — closer than our geostationary satellites,' Farnocchia close pass is expected to give scientists a rare chance to study the effects of Earth's gravity on the asteroid's orbit. Some models suggest that this flyby could slightly alter its path, but not enough to pose any danger in future passes.2025 OW will pass silently and safely. There will be no light show, no debris, and no need to prepare for impact. But it's a timely reminder of the constant motion above our heads, and the systems in place to monitor experts continue to keep watch, not because of 2025 OW, but because one day, a different object might be worth worrying about. Until then, we observe, we prepare, and we learn.
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Plane-sized Asteroid 2025 OW will fly-by at 47,000 mph this week, but NASA scientists say it's nothing new
Not a rare event Live Events Will you be able to see it? What we've learned from past impacts How scientists monitor space rocks Apophis in 2029 (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel An asteroid roughly the size of a commercial aeroplane is expected to pass Earth on 28 July, according to NASA . The object, known as 2025 OW, is about 210 feet across and will fly by at a distance of approximately 393,000 miles. That's about one and a half times farther than the experts are clear: there's nothing to worry about. 'This is very routine,' said Ian J. O'Neill, media relations specialist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). 'If there was a threat, you would hear from us. We would always put out alerts on our planetary defence blog.'The asteroid is moving at a speed of nearly 47,000 miles per hour. Despite that, its trajectory has been calculated with such accuracy that scientists say they already know its path for the next hundred idea of a fast-moving space rock zipping past Earth sounds dramatic, but it's not unusual. 'Close approaches happen all the time — it's just part of the fabric of the solar system,' said Davide Farnocchia, an asteroid expert at NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies ( CNEOS ).NASA keeps track of thousands of near-Earth objects (NEOs), including five currently expected to pass close by next week. Most are far smaller than 2025 OW and travel at much greater distances. While 2025 OW is larger than most, it does not qualify as hazardous. For that, an object needs to be more than 460 feet wide and come within 4.6 million miles of Earth's so, large asteroid impacts are incredibly rare. According to Farnocchia, 'For an object the size of 2025 OW, while close approaches might happen yearly, an actual Earth impact would only occur roughly every 10,000 years.'Not this time. Despite its size and speed, 2025 OW won't be visible without specialist equipment. 'It won't be visible through binoculars,' said there's something on the horizon that could be much more dramatic. A much larger asteroid, called 99942 Apophis , will pass significantly closer to Earth in April 2029 — just 38,000 kilometres away. That's closer than some of our which measures over 1,100 feet across, will be visible to the naked eye. For the public, it could be a rare chance to see an asteroid without needing a is hit by around 100 tons of space dust and small debris every day. It's mostly harmless and burns up in the atmosphere. Larger strikes are rare but not most recent example happened in 2013, when a 20-metre asteroid exploded above Chelyabinsk in Russia. It caused injuries and property damage. Events of that scale happen once every 60 to 80 years. The Tunguska explosion in 1908, caused by an asteroid possibly between 160 and 200 feet wide, flattened trees across over 2,000 square kilometres of Siberian forest. That type of event is expected only once every 200 to 300 terms of size, 2025 OW is in that same range. But unlike the Tunguska asteroid, we know exactly where 2025 OW is going — and it's not tracking capabilities have come a long way. Astronomers rely on a global network of telescopes, with data sent to the Minor Planet Center, the organisation responsible for collecting information on small solar system CNEOS uses that data to model orbits and predict flybys, often years or even decades in advance. There are currently over 30,000 recognised NEOs, out of more than 1.1 million known asteroids in our solar tools are also being developed. NASA's NEO Surveyor mission, along with the European Space Agency's NEOMIR and the Vera Rubin Observatory, aim to spot more asteroids, especially those that approach from the direction of the Sun — a known blind spot for many Earth-based big event on the calendar is Apophis in 2029. Originally discovered in 2004, early models gave it a slim chance of hitting Earth. But after years of observations, scientists have ruled out any impact for at least the next century.'Apophis will come within 38,000 kilometres of Earth in April 2029 — closer than our geostationary satellites,' Farnocchia close pass is expected to give scientists a rare chance to study the effects of Earth's gravity on the asteroid's orbit. Some models suggest that this flyby could slightly alter its path, but not enough to pose any danger in future passes.2025 OW will pass silently and safely. There will be no light show, no debris, and no need to prepare for impact. But it's a timely reminder of the constant motion above our heads, and the systems in place to monitor experts continue to keep watch, not because of 2025 OW, but because one day, a different object might be worth worrying about. Until then, we observe, we prepare, and we learn.
