NASA has been tracking an asteroid the size of a small car, named “2025 DQ”, as it passes Earth at approximately 15000 miles per hour. This is a notable celestial event that’s safe. NASA’s and other space agencies’ efforts to monitor and protect planetary systems and near-Earth (NEO) objects are highlighted by this close approach.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory reports that the asteroid, 2025 DQ (which is estimated to have a diameter of 12 feet), will be passing Earth in a distance between 186,000 and 192,000 miles. According to data from JPL’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, the asteroid is between nine and twenty feet in diameter.
A space rock called “2012 DZ”, is also close to Earth. CNEOS estimates that this asteroid is significantly bigger, with a 52-foot to 118-foot diameter. The asteroid passes Earth at approximately 662,000 miles.
Asteroid Impact Probability 2024 YR4 Fluctuates
NASA announced earlier this week a temporary but notable increase in impact probability for asteroid 2024 YR4 in 2032. NASA recorded a 3.1% chance of collision for the first data, making it their highest ever figure. Updated data from Thursday reduced this impact probability significantly to 0.28 percent. This shows the dynamic nature in NEO trajectory calculation.
The 2025 Close Approach is Near.
Asteroid “2025 CN” (roughly the size of a small bus, or 28 feet wide) also flew past Earth in February at a speed around 18,700 mph. This illustrates the steady stream of NEOs that are constantly near Earth.
Asteroids: Understanding Near-Earth Objects
The Solar System was formed approximately 4,6 billion years ago. The main belt of asteroid bodies is located between Mars and Jupiter. Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), also known as asteroids, are asteroids whose orbits bring them to within 120,000,000 miles of the Sun. They can range in size between 10 feet and nearly 25 miles.
Although most NEOs do not pose a threat to Earth’s orbit, the subset of potentially hazardous asteroids requires close monitoring. The orbits of PHAs come within 4.6million miles of Earth. They are bigger than 460feet and larger.
NASA states that there are currently no PHAs that pose a threat to Earth. For planetary defence, continuous tracking and better detection methods are essential. This will ensure early warnings as well as possible mitigation strategies. The continuous observation of asteroids, such as 2025 DQ, is crucial to protecting the planet and understanding possible risks.