Stadium-sized asteroid to make close approach to Earth today
What's the story
NASA has confirmed that asteroid 1997 QK1 will make its closest approach to Earth on August 20, 2025. The space rock is nearly 990 feet wide and moving at a speed of over 35,410km/h. It will come within around 3.01 million kilometers of our planet, which may sound like a lot, but is considered close in astronomical terms.
Close approach
No threat to Earth
Despite its size, experts say the asteroid 1997 QK1 poses no threat to Earth. NASA only considers an asteroid hazardous if it is larger than 140 meters and comes within 7.4 million kilometers of our planet. The upcoming flyby of asteroid 1997 QK1 serves as a reminder of the dynamic nature of space and the importance of monitoring these celestial bodies.
Orbital details
What we know about asteroid 1997 QK1
First spotted in the late 1990s, asteroid 1997 QK1 belongs to the Aten group of near-Earth asteroids. These space rocks have unique orbits that cross Earth's path around the Sun. This particular asteroid is especially noteworthy due to its size, almost as long as three football fields lined up. If it were to hit Earth, it could cause regional destruction but not global extinction like the one that wiped out dinosaurs.
Research potential
Flyby presents opportunity for scientific research
The flyby of asteroid 1997 QK1 is more than just a cosmic event; it's a chance for scientific research. Studying such objects can provide insights into the solar system's formation and their structural integrity, which is critical for future resource mining or deflection missions. Even though this asteroid poses no threat, it highlights the need for constant vigilance in monitoring these celestial bodies to distinguish between harmless visitors and potential threats.