A football stadium-sized asteroid is set to pass by Earth on Friday, and NASA scientists are closely monitoring it due to its size and proximity to our planet. The asteroid, named Asteroid 2008 OS7, measures approximately 890 feet and will come within 1.7 million miles of Earth. While this may seem like a significant distance, it is still around seven times closer than the Moon.
According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Asteroid 2008 OS7 orbits the Sun every 962 days, meaning its next return will be in 2026. However, its next close approach to Earth won’t occur until 2037 when it will come within 10 million miles of our planet. NASA classifies objects that come within 4.6 million miles of Earth and are larger than 150 meters as “potentially hazardous objects,” which is why they are closely monitoring this asteroid.
The asteroid is expected to pass by Earth at approximately 9:41 a.m. EST on Friday. Although it won’t be visible to the naked eye, NASA offers a virtual asteroid tracker that allows people to observe the real-time positions of asteroids in the solar system. Additionally, the Virtual Telescope Project will livestream the event, providing an opportunity for everyone to witness this celestial phenomenon.
It’s worth noting that Asteroid 2008 OS7 is not the only asteroid passing by Earth on Friday. Two other asteroids, namely Asteroid 2024 BJ3 and Asteroid 2024 BP1, will also make their approaches. Asteroid 2024 BJ3, which was discovered this year, is about the size of an airplane and will come within 533,000 miles of Earth. On the other hand, Asteroid 2024 BP1 is slightly larger at 170 feet and will pass by at a distance of 2.1 million miles from our planet.
Asteroids are rocky objects that orbit the Sun, similar to planets, but on a much smaller scale. They are remnants from the formation of the solar system approximately 4.6 billion years ago. Asteroid 2008 OS7 belongs to the Apollo-classed asteroids, which are asteroids capable of crossing into Earth’s orbit. In recent years, NASA has been taking the threat of asteroid impacts more seriously. In 2022, they conducted their first Double Asteroid Deflection Test, successfully altering an asteroid’s orbit by launching a spacecraft to collide with it.
Another significant mission undertaken by NASA is the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, which was sent to study an asteroid called Bennu. The spacecraft collected samples from Bennu and returned them to Earth in September 2023. Scientists are currently analyzing these samples to gain insights into the composition and nature of asteroids. Bennu itself poses a potential threat, with a one-in-2,700 chance of colliding with a Texas-sized portion of Earth in 2182, according to a paper published in Icarus.
The discovery of so many asteroids passing by Earth highlights the importance of continued research and monitoring efforts by NASA. With an estimated 1,303,867 asteroids in the solar system, understanding their trajectories and potential risks is crucial for safeguarding our planet. As technology advances, scientists hope to develop effective strategies for deflecting or mitigating the impact of hazardous asteroids.
While Asteroid 2008 OS7’s pass by Earth on Friday poses no immediate danger, it serves as a reminder of the vastness and complexity of our universe. By studying these celestial objects, we gain valuable knowledge about our origins and potential threats that may arise in the future. So, as we marvel at the wonders of space, let us also appreciate the tireless efforts of NASA scientists who work diligently to keep us safe from potential cosmic hazards.