A massive 130-foot asteroid to zoom past Earth today, NASA confirms

NASA's Asteroid Alert! (Image: Canva)

A silent visitor is heading towards Earth from space. Many people enjoy watching stars, but tonight’s sky holds more. A massive asteroid is racing toward our planet’s path.

NASA Tracks 130-Foot Asteroid Approaching Earth

NASA confirmed asteroid 2025 OT4 is now approaching Earth. The space rock measures around 130 feet in diameter. It will fly past Earth on August 7. Scientists say the asteroid is travelling at great speed. It will cross at nearly 13,401 miles per hour. Its closest distance will be about 924,000 miles away.

That distance may seem far to ordinary people. But for scientists, it is very close in space terms. The asteroid belongs to the Aten group of rocks. These usually cross Earth’s orbit while passing through space.

Despite its size, the asteroid poses no danger. NASA does not consider it a hazardous object. For that, it must come within 7.4 million kilometres. It should also be wider than 85 metres.

Why Experts Still Track Every Space Rock

Even safe flybys are treated as serious events. A minor shift in orbit could change everything. That is why global agencies keep a close watch. Tracking rocks like these helps prepare for future risks.

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath also spoke on the subject. He shared plans to study bigger asteroids soon. ISRO wishes to monitor Apophis on its visit in 2029. India can also partner with NASA and ESA. Future missions could even land on asteroids to conduct studies.

2025 OT4 Emphasizes Need for Continuous Watchfulness

Even though 2025 OT4 is not a threat now, it does make a difference. The asteroid is a stark reminder of space's volatility. An uneventful sky can change in an instant. The serene flyby continues to captivate the world's attention.