Near-Earth Asteroid Makes Close Pass
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Early in 2025,a relatively small asteroid,designated 2025 AB,made a close approach to Earth. While posing no immediate threat, the event highlights the ongoing monitoring efforts of space agencies to track near-Earth objects.
The asteroid, estimated to be between 32.8 and 72.2 feet in diameter—roughly the size of a school bus—was one of the first celestial bodies discovered in the new year. This size, while not exceptionally large, is still meaningful enough to warrant observation and tracking by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Center for Near-Earth Object Studies.
On January 3rd, 2025, 2025 AB zipped past our planet at a distance of approximately 95,200 miles.To put that in outlook, the moon orbits Earth at an average distance of 238,900 miles; therefore, the asteroid’s trajectory brought it significantly closer than our lunar neighbor.
The close encounter serves as a reminder of the constant influx of space debris near Earth. While most asteroids of this size burn up in the atmosphere, the potential for larger objects to pose a threat remains a concern. NASA and other international space agencies continue to invest in advanced detection and tracking systems to mitigate any potential future risks.
The event underscores the importance of continued research and development in planetary defense. Understanding the trajectories and compositions of near-Earth objects is crucial for protecting our planet. While 2025 AB presented no danger, future discoveries may require more proactive measures.
Bus-Sized asteroid Makes Close Earth Pass
A bus-sized asteroid, designated 2025 AB, is making a remarkably close pass by Earth today, traveling at a breathtaking speed of approximately 25,300 mph. This celestial visitor will zoom past our planet at a distance twice that of the moon, prompting renewed interest in near-Earth objects (NEOs) and the potential risks they pose.
“Asteroids are ‘bits of a planet that didn’t happen’ that orbit the sun between Mars and Jupiter in the main asteroid belt,” explained Jay Tate, director of the U.K.’s Spaceguard Center observatory. “However, as they are relatively small, asteroids can be disturbed quite easily, so they can develop orbits that cross those of planets.”
2025 AB’s proximity classifies it as a near-Earth object, defined as any object within 30 million miles of Earth.There are roughly 36,000 known NEOs in our solar system.While 2025 AB is not classified as a possibly hazardous asteroid (PHA), the close approach highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring efforts.
A PHA is defined as an object coming within about 4.6 million miles of Earth and having a diameter of at least 460 feet,according to Martin Barstow,a professor of astrophysics and space science at the University of Leicester. “A PHA is one that has an orbit intersecting the Earth’s orbit around the sun by less than 0.05 astronomical units…that’s just over 4.5 million miles,” Barstow stated. “It also has to have an absolute brightness of 22.0 or less…an asteroid (or comet) that woudl cause significant regional damage if it hit the Earth. Not all NEOs are potentially hazardous, but all hazardous objects are NEOs.”
Several other asteroids are making relatively close approaches to Earth in the coming days, including 2024 YC9, 2024 YL1, and 2025 AE, all passing today, and 2024 YL7 passing tomorrow. Though, none of these approaches are as close as 2025 AB’s, and none are classified as PHAs.
Even the PHA classification doesn’t guarantee an imminent impact.”The ‘potentially hazardous’ designation simply means over many centuries and millennia the asteroid’s orbit may evolve into one that has a chance of impacting Earth.We do not assess these long-term, many-century possibilities of impact,” clarified Paul Chodas, manager of NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies.
This event underscores the ongoing importance of NASA’s planetary defense efforts and the continuous monitoring of NEOs to assess and mitigate any potential future threats.
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“Let us know via science@newsweek.com,” the magazine urges prospective contributors. This direct call to action highlights Newsweek’s proactive approach to engaging with the scientific community and its dedication to publishing high-quality,impactful science journalism.
This initiative reflects Newsweek’s ongoing commitment to providing its readers with insightful and informative coverage of science and technology. The magazine’s dedication to presenting complex scientific topics in a clear and engaging manner ensures that its readers remain informed about the latest breakthroughs and advancements shaping our world.
Bus-Sized Asteroid Makes Close Earth Pass: An Interview with Spaceguard Center Director
Early in 2025, a relatively small asteroid designated 2025 AB made a close approach to Earth, prompting renewed interest in near-Earth objects (NEOs) and the potential risks they pose.
World Today News Senior Editor, Sarah jones, sat down with Jay Tate, director of the U.K.’s Spaceguard Center observatory, to discuss this intriguing celestial event and the broader implications for planetary defense.
On the Trajectory of 2025 AB
Sarah Jones: Mr. Tate, thank you for joining us today. can you tell our readers more about asteroid 2025 AB and its recent close encounter with Earth?
Jay Tate:
Certainly,Sarah. 2025 AB is a bus-sized asteroid, estimated to be between 32.8 and 72.2 feet in diameter. On January 3rd, it zoomed past our planet at a distance of approximately 95,200 miles. To put that in outlook,the moon orbits Earth at about 238,900 miles. So, 2025 AB came considerably closer than our lunar neighbor!
Sarah Jones: That’s quite close! How common are these types of near misses?
Jay Tate:
Near-Earth objects are actually quite common. There are roughly 36,000 known NEOs in our solar system. While 2025 AB wasn’t classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid, its close approach serves as a reminder of the constant influx of space debris near Earth.
Defining Potentially Hazardous Asteroids
Sarah Jones:
What makes an asteroid potentially hazardous? What distinguishes 2025 AB from these potentially dangerous asteroids?
Jay Tate:
A potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) is one that coming within about 4.6 million miles of Earth and has a diameter of at least 460 feet. It essentially has an orbit that crosses Earth’s orbit. 2025 AB is much smaller and doesn’t meet those criteria.
Monitoring Near-Earth Objects
Sarah Jones:
What measures are in place to track these potentially hazardous objects and mitigate any potential risks they might pose?
Jay Tate:
Organizations like NASA and the Spaceguard Center are constantly monitoring the skies, using telescopes and radar to detect and track NEOs. These efforts are crucial to identifying potentially hazardous asteroids and developing strategies to protect our planet.
Sarah Jones:
What advancements are being made in planetary defense?
Jay Tate:
there are exciting developments in the field of planetary defense, including the growth of deflection techniques like the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission.
Sarah Jones:
Thank you for shedding light on this notable topic, Mr.Tate. We appreciate your insights.
