Asteroid as large as a 26-story building heading towards Earth, NASA alerts – check details

Asteroid Hitting Earth (Representative Image: Canva)

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is keeping a close eye on an asteroid set to approach Earth on January 16, 2025. The 370-foot-wide space rock, named 2022 CE2, will pass safely by, ensuring no threat to our planet.

How Close Will It Come?
Asteroid 2022 CE2 will zoom past Earth at a distance of 2,640,000 miles. This is more than 16 times farther than the Moon. Travelling at a speed of 29,653 miles per hour, it is expected to pass at 8:29 PM IST. Despite its classification as a "near-Earth" object, scientists have assured there is no danger from this flyby.

Understanding and Monitoring Asteroids
Asteroids like 2022 CE2 are ancient remnants of the solar system’s formation 4.6 billion years ago. These celestial objects orbit the Sun and occasionally cross paths with Earth. Monitoring them is critical, as past collisions, such as the asteroid impact that ended the dinosaurs, highlight their potential risk.

NASA employs advanced tracking systems to study these space rocks. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory uses radar and other technologies to closely monitor their trajectories. Missions like OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa2 have collected asteroid samples, helping scientists explore the solar system’s history.

The Importance of Planetary Defence
Although 2022 CE2 poses no immediate threat, its flyby underscores the importance of planetary defence. Monitoring near-Earth objects helps scientists prepare for potential risks and ensures our planet’s safety. As NASA continues its efforts, each observation contributes to understanding and protecting Earth from future threats.