NASA Alert: Massive 120-foot, airplane-sized asteroid racing towards Earth at high speed on June 4

Asteroid Near Sun (Representative Image - Canva)

Sometimes, looking up at the sky can feel surreal. Somewhere out there, a chunk of rock is flying past Earth—quietly, quickly, and without much fuss. Still, scientists are watching.

2025 KX8 Is Set for a Close Flyby
NASA has confirmed that asteroid 2025 KX8 is approaching. The space rock will make its closest pass on 4 June. It spans about 120 feet in size—comparable to a small airplane.

At its nearest, it will be around 1,990,000 kilometers from Earth. In cosmic terms, that’s close enough to be under watch. The asteroid belongs to the Aten group, whose members cross Earth’s orbit.

NASA has said there’s no threat of a collision. An object is only seen as dangerous if it is over 150 meters wide and comes within 7.4 million kilometers. KX8 fails both conditions but is still worth attention.

Even a tiny orbital shift could change its route. That’s why experts continue to track its path closely. A safe flyby is expected, but caution remains key in space observation.

ISRO Strengthens Its Focus on Planetary Defence
While 2025 KX8 is not a concern, others might be. India’s space agency, ISRO, is already looking toward 2029. That’s when asteroid Apophis will pass close to our planet.

ISRO chairman S. Somanath has spoken about the risk. He believes that defending Earth from space threats is vital. The agency plans to track Apophis and may work with NASA, ESA, and JAXA.

Somanath stressed that an impact could be disastrous. That’s why ISRO is planning future asteroid landing missions. These efforts will help test ways to reduce potential damage.

Even though 2025 KX8 won’t hit us, it’s a reminder. The skies above are full of quiet travelers—and some deserve our full attention.