Latest news with #OW
Economic Times
3 days ago
- 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
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Asteroid as big as an airplane to pass earth: Here's when and if you can see it
On July 28, 2025—an asteroid roughly 230 feet across (think the size of a large airplane) named 2025 OW will zip past Earth at nearly 47,000 miles per hour, sailing by at a comfortable distance of about 393,000 miles—that's about 1.6 times farther than the Moon. But before you grab your flashlight and bunker gear, take some deep breaths. NASA says this is completely routine. Even though the rock is big enough to get attention, it poses absolutely no threat to Earth. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) stress that fast-moving space rocks are just part of everyday life in the solar system. 'Close approaches happen all the time,' NASA's media specialist Ian J. O'Neill told ABC News, 'and if there was any threat, you'd hear about it clearly from us.' So yes, the asteroid is big—but its orbit is mapped out with precision, and scientists know exactly where it's going to be for the next century. In short: no surprises, no panic, just routine monitoring. Can you see it? Not this time Curious to catch a glimpse of 2025 OW through binoculars or a telescope? Don't bother. According to Davide Farnocchia, an asteroid expert at NASA, it won't be visible to the naked eye or standard backyard gear. But the stage is set for a much cooler spectacle coming in 2029, when asteroid Apophis makes an even closer pass—close enough to be visible from Earth without equipment Just how often do asteroids come close? A lot more than you'd think. Smaller rocks and space dust—about 100 tons daily—hit Earth harmlessly as they burn up in the atmosphere. Larger asteroids, like 2025 OW, pass near Earth every few years, but Earth impacts of that size happen roughly once every 10,000 years. For real danger to become a concern, the object would have to be at least 460 feet wide and close enough to cross Earth's orbit in a risky way. 2025 OW doesn't tick those boxes, even though it's bigger than 150 feet What's next after 2025 OW? Apophis 2029 The next head-turner in asteroid news is 99942 Apophis, due to zoom past Earth in April 2029, at just 38,000 km—which is closer than geostationary satellites. It's about 1,100 feet wide, and early predictions of possible impact have since been ruled out for at least the next century, according to NASA. "Asteroid Apophis will safely pass close to Earth on April 13, 2029," NASA says. Monitoring asteroids like 2025 OW is part of NASA's planetary defense mission—basically an early-warning radar for killer space rocks. Even if most asteroids pose zero risk, the idea is to catch potential threats before they get close, so we can plan mitigation—think spacecraft diversion or evacuation strategies. When objects like YR4 or Apophis show up, scientists run simulations, refine orbits, and assess risk over years. So yes, a plane-sized asteroid is cruising by Earth on July 28th, but there's no cause for alarm. Space is busy with close calls all the time—most of which we don't even feel or notice. NASA's tracking programs give us peace of mind—and a reason to stay excited about cosmic neighbors we never see. Keep an eye on the headlines for 2029's Apophis, which might actually put on a visible-light show. And don't sweat 2025 OW—it's a friendly reminder of our ongoing lunar and planetary watchdog operations.
International Business Times
6 days ago
- Science
- International Business Times
Will a 'Planet Killer' Strike Earth on Monday Causing Extinction Level Event?
Astronomers recently detected an asteroid approximately 210 feet in length traveling toward Earth. The asteroid has been monitored before a projected close approach to the planet. Scientists compared this latest asteroid, 2025 OW, to objects such as a large airplane, a 15-story building, or the Leaning Tower of Pisa in size. NASA announced on Wednesday (July 23) that the space rock is likely to pass close to our planet on Monday (July 28). The asteroid, the largest of this ominous group, could pass within 393,000 miles of Earth, coming alarmingly close to striking the planet. The projected distance of this asteroid is just beyond the moon. The satellite orbits the planet 239,000 miles away. Astronomers said the asteroid is traveling at a speed of around 47,000 miles per hour. According to the scientists, it is an average speed for an asteroid heading towards Earth. Now, the biggest question is if this space rock poses a risk to the planet. Will Asteroid 2025 OW Cause Extinction Level Event? Asteroid 2025 OW is one among the five asteroids, making a pass by the blue planet over the coming week. Though it is the largest of this ominous group and may come closer to strike Earth, NASA said the space rock poses no risk at this time. The astronomers noted that an asteroid of this size may shatter windows or cause minor structural damage if it happens to enter the atmosphere over a populated area. Scientists categorized this space rock as a small to medium-sized asteroid. They said it would not cause an extinction level event because it is not a "planet killer". The astronomers said a similar type of asteroid usually doesn't reach the planet's surface because it explodes in the atmosphere. The explosion is caused due to the intense pressure and frictional heating placed on the asteroid when it enters at high speed. NASA said the space rock wouldn't be visible through binoculars or with the naked eye when it reaches closest to the planet. Meanwhile, two other asteroids are projected to miss Earth on Thursday (July 24) by over a million miles. Both space rocks are between 100 and 200 feet long. Meanwhile, a small asteroid is expected to pass our planet on Saturday (July 26).
NDTV
7 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Asteroid Alert: NASA Tracks Airplane-Sized Space Rock As It Approaches Earth
An asteroid, named 2025 OW, is scheduled to pass Earth next week. It is estimated to be about 210 feet across, roughly the size of a large airplane. The asteroid will make its closest approach to Earth on July 28, travelling at a speed of approximately 46,908 miles per hour. It will pass our planet at a distance of around 393,000 miles. According to NASA, the asteroid poses no threat to Earth. Ian J O'Neill, who is the media relations specialist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), told ABC News, "This is very routine." "If there was a threat, you would hear from us. We would always put out alerts on our planetary defense blog." "We know exactly where it's going to be. We'll probably know where it's going to be for the next 100 years," O'Neill added. Another expert, Davide Farnocchia, an asteroid expert at NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), told the outlet: "Close approaches happen all the time, it's just part of the fabric of the solar system." Will this asteroid be visible? Farnocchia explained that it won't be visible with binoculars. He, however, mentioned that another exciting event will come in 2029 when asteroid Apophis will approach Earth. "Apophis will come within 38,000 kilometers of Earth in April 2029, closer than our geostationary satellites," Farnocchia said. NASA is also tracking another aeroplane-sized asteroid, 2025 OX, which will fly past Earth on July 26 at a distance of 2,810,000 miles. Asteroids larger than 150 meters in diameter and coming within 7.4 million kilometres of Earth are considered potentially hazardous. Since 2025 OW is larger than the size threshold but will pass at a safe distance, it's worth monitoring. Other asteroids passing by Earth recently included 2025 MM, an airplane-sized asteroid, that passed by Earth on July 1. It measured around 120 feet wide and travelled at 23,874 miles per hour. Another asteroid named 2025 KX8, a 120-foot space rock, also flew by Earth on June 4, passing at a distance of approximately 1.99 million kilometres. An asteroid, 2025 MG1, about 130 feet wide, zoomed safely past Earth on July 12 at a distance of over 3 million kilometres.
Ammon
23-07-2025
- Science
- Ammon
NASA reports plane-sized asteroid nearing earth
Ammon News - NASA is monitoring an airplane-sized asteroid that is expected to zoom past the Earth on July 28 at a zippy 46,908 miles per hour. The space rock—known as 2025 OW—is estimated to be about 210 feet across and will make its closest approach to our next Monday, at a distance of around 393,000 miles, according to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). But 2025 OW isn't the only asteroid approaching us in the coming days. NASA is also tracking another airplane-sized space rock known as 2025 OX, which is estimated to be about 110 feet across, and will fly past the Earth on July 26 at a distance of 2,810,000 miles. Three more aircraft-sized space rocks are also expected to pass by Earth in the next few weeks. On July 28, asteroid 2018 BE5 will make its closest approach at a distance of just 2,580,000 miles; 2025 OR will pass within 3,040,000 miles on July 31; and, next month, 2019 CO1 will get within 4,240,000 miles of our home. According to NASA, asteroids are inactive bodies made of all the rocky, dusty and metallic materials left behind from the formation of our solar system. They are mainly concentrated within the main asteroid belt, orbiting around the sun between the paths of Mars and Jupiter, though some may end up in the inner solar system. Asteroids of various sizes can pose different levels of threat to our planet. Small ones around 30 feet impact Earth about once in a decade, causing a very bright fireball, and a strong sonic boom. They may sometimes also break nearby windows. Space rocks measuring 160 feet and over can cause local devastation and leave a crater. Thankfully, they only impact Earth about in 1,000 years. Depending on the impact location, larger space rocks—those that measure in at over 500 feet across—can cause deaths across populated metro areas and states, says NASA. Fortunately, they only hit the Earth around every 20,000 years.
