NASA confirms massive 290-foot, building-sized asteroid is passing by Earth today; know more here

NASA confirms building-sized asteroid 2025 XV will pass Earth on December 18 (Image: Canva)

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is monitoring a massive asteroid, known as 2025 XV. This is roughly 290 feet across, will make a close but safe approach to Earth on December 18. The asteroid will pass at a distance of 1,610,000 miles, far beyond the Moon’s orbit.

NASA confirms that asteroid 2025 XV will safely pass Earth on December 18. The rock measures about 290 feet (building-sized) across. It will travel past Earth at a distance of 1,610,000 miles. While extremely distant by daily standards, in space terms, it counts as a close flyby.

2025 XV is not considered a potentially hazardous asteroid. Asteroids are marked hazardous if they come closer than 4.6 million miles (~7.4 million km) and exceed 492 feet (150 meters) in size.

Asteroid "2025 XV" exceeds the distance threshold but is slightly smaller than the hazard limit. This means it poses no danger, but scientists continue careful observation.

There are four more asteroids that will pass through Earth today. Here’s a brief about these asteroids that do not possess any danger to the planet.

2015 XX168: This asteroid is about 84 feet wide, passing 1,440,000 miles away. This is roughly the size of a small building.

2025 YG: Roughly 120 feet, flying by at 3,100,000 miles, 2025 YG is an airplane-sized asteroid.

2025 XR5: This asteroid is approximately 160 feet wide, at 3,490,000 miles. This is similar to a commercial airliner.

2025 XQ5: About 96 feet, passing 3,640,000 miles from Earth, this asteroid is smaller than a football field.

Although it poses no danger, 2025 XV provides scientists with a rare opportunity to study a large near-Earth object. Tracking its movement helps refine orbital models, improving prediction accuracy for future asteroids. Observations also contribute to planetary defense strategies, allowing researchers to practice early-warning techniques.

Asteroids like 2025 XV travel in elliptical orbits around the Sun. Some orbits cross or come near Earth’s orbital path naturally. These near-Earth objects are influenced by gravitational forces from planets, primarily Jupiter. The collisions and perturbations over millions of years alter their trajectories slightly. These asteroids occasionally come close enough to Earth to be observed safely.