NASA alert: A giant 120-foot, airplane-sized asteroid approaching Earth today

NASA's Asteroid Alert! (Image: Canva)

There’s something oddly thrilling about watching a visitor from deep space glide silently past our planet. While most will never see it, scientists know exactly when to look up.

Asteroid 2022 YS5 to Zoom Past Earth

NASA has confirmed that asteroid 2022 YS5 is approaching. The space rock will make its closest pass on 17 July. Measuring 120 feet wide, it’s as big as a building. At its nearest, it will pass Earth at 4.15 million kilometres. That may sound far, but in space, it’s surprisingly close. It’s travelling at 14,006 miles per hour and belongs to the Aten group of asteroids. These objects often cross Earth’s orbital path.

NASA says there’s no danger from this flyby. It doesn’t meet the criteria for a hazardous object. Such asteroids must be over 85 meters wide and come within 7.4 million kilometres. Still, scientists are tracking 2022 YS5 closely. Even a small change in orbit could raise concerns in the future.

ISRO Prepares for Long-Term Asteroid Defence

While this rock won’t trouble Earth, agencies remain alert. India’s space agency, ISRO, is planning far ahead. Its focus is already on asteroid Apophis, expected to pass Earth in 2029. ISRO Chairman S. Somanath believes preparation is essential. He aims to partner with NASA, ESA and JAXA. Together, they hope to monitor space threats and develop safety plans.

Somanath warns that asteroid impacts could be devastating. ISRO wants to send missions to land on asteroids. These would help understand how to defend Earth effectively.

A Reminder from the Cosmos

While 2022 YS5 poses no threat, it still matters. Such events remind us how active the skies really are. The universe may be vast, but sometimes, it gets close enough to notice.