A giant asteroid is approaching Earth on 31 July; NASA says it's a 95-foot, airplane-sized rock

NASA's Asteroid Alert! (Image: Canva)

Watching the skies often brings quiet wonder, but sometimes it brings news. A space rock, roughly the size of a building, is heading our way. Though experts say there’s no danger, it has certainly caught their attention.

Asteroid 2025 ME92 to Fly Past Earth Safely

NASA reports that asteroid 2025 ME92 will soon pass Earth. It measures about 95 feet wide and moves at 11,831 miles per hour. On 31 July, it will come as close as 3.19 million kilometres. That distance may seem far, but in space, it's surprisingly near.

The asteroid belongs to the Aten group of space rocks. These often follow paths that cross Earth’s orbit. While 2025 ME92 is not classed as hazardous, it’s still being watched. NASA only flags rocks as risky if they are closer than 7.4 million kilometres and wider than 85 metres. This asteroid does not meet either rule, but scientists remain alert.

Planetary Defence Takes Priority

Even harmless flybys keep researchers on their toes. A small shift in orbit can change everything. Space agencies, including India’s ISRO, continue to watch the skies carefully.

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath has spoken about future missions. He wants to observe larger asteroids, like Apophis, due in 2029. He is also aiming to partner with NASA, ESA, and JAXA. ISRO plans to send missions to land on asteroids. These could help study threats and test ways to defend Earth.

While ME92 poses no risk now, it is a reminder. The universe may be wide, but space can still feel close.