Giant 260-foot building- sized asteroid rushing towards Earth today at a speed of 20,560 mph—NASA confirms

Asteroid (Representative Image - Canva)

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is monitoring asteroid 2016 AX165, which will pass Earth on 20 February 2025. This near-Earth object, about 260 feet in diameter, poses no threat to our planet.

Asteroid's Approach Details

Asteroid 2016 AX165 will make its closest approach at 02:34 AM IST, passing approximately 3,560,000 miles from Earth—over 14 times the distance to the Moon. Travelling at about 20,560 miles per hour, its trajectory ensures a safe passage.

Near-Earth objects (NEOs) are celestial bodies that come within 1.3 astronomical units of Earth. Studying them provides insights into the solar system's formation and potential impact risks.

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NASA employs advanced systems to track NEOs like 2016 AX165. Tools include radar and missions like OSIRIS-REx, which collect asteroid samples. These efforts enhance our understanding of space objects and inform planetary defence strategies.

As asteroid 2016 AX165 safely passes by, NASA continues its vigilant monitoring to ensure Earth's safety from potential cosmic threats.