A giant 180-foot asteroid to zoom past Earth today at a speed of 39,205 mph, NASA confirms

Looking up at the night sky can feel calm and steady, but sometimes a visitor from space reminds us how active the universe really is. This week, an asteroid the size of an aeroplane is passing close to Earth.

NASA confirmed the space rock, measuring about 180 feet wide, will pass on 29 August. It will come within 2,810,000 miles of Earth while travelling at 30,205 miles per hour. Though that sounds distant, astronomers describe it as close in cosmic terms.

Is the asteroid considered dangerous?
The asteroid belongs to the Aten group, known for crossing Earth’s orbit. But experts stress it poses no threat. NASA only classifies asteroids as hazardous if they approach within 7.4 million kilometres and measure more than 85 metres wide. Asteroid 2025 QY4 does not meet either condition, making this a safe flyby.

Even non-threatening asteroids are monitored closely because orbits can shift. A small change could alter a trajectory and create new risks. That is why NASA and other global agencies continue to track and study every object passing nearby.