The artist’s impression of the “potentially dangerous” asteroid is only one of several tracked by NASA this week. Credit: Buradaki, Shutterstock
It’s not every week that five giant space locks have heard that football pitches are passing our planet. But that’s exactly what’s happening this week.
NASA’s planetary defense program has avidly looked at five asteroids classified as “potentially dangerous” and approaches Earth closely. However, there’s no need to panic. The headline may sound dramatic, but there’s something that’s actually happening here.
What does “potentially dangerous” mean?
The term “potentially dangerous asteroid” (PHA) throws a lot, but it’s not as sinister as it looks. In space terms it means objects within approximately 7.5 million kilometers of Earth. This is 20 times the distance to the moon and has a diameter of at least 140 meters. However, even small rocks may create clock lists if the orbit is a little unpredictable.
This week’s batch of asteroids fits at least partially the bill. Between May 26th and 28th, these five space visitors have cruised (or still) past in the past at a distance that is much larger than our moon. But thanks to their size, speed and pure presence, they are closely monitored by astronomers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Institute.
5 asteroids on NASA’s radar
- 2025 KT1: It sailed on May 26th and was within 1.99 million kilometers.
- 2025 JP: On May 27th, I slid at a distance of 5.19 million kilometers.
- 2025 KW, 2025 JR, and 2025 KU1: A close approach is scheduled for May 28th. Of particular interest is the 2025 JR is estimated to have a diameter of nearly 80 meters. This is a pretty chunk of everyone’s standards.
None of these rocks exceed the “hazard threshold” and all stay at a safe distance. Still, they are on the official watch list for their impressive size and quick trajectory. NASA’s Asteroid Watch page keeps these universe flyby worlds up to date and for now the mood remains calm.
Should I worry about an asteroid strike?
Let’s put that into perspective. Stories about asteroids often cause anxiety, but most of these close encounters are not new. Earth has a long history of dodging the fragments of the universe, and our current technology means we will find something bigger before us.
Space agencies like NASA are moving forward with early warning systems that could work when they need to act to avoid a real threat. Currently, none of our visitors this week poses a risk to us. Instead, they offer scientists a great opportunity. All close paths are your chance to collect more data, hone your asteroid tracking skills, and improve your future technology.
In short, five asteroids created a “potentially dangerous” list this week, but there’s no reason to lose sleep. Their journey is a reminder of how much is happening in space and how good it is for us to keep an eye on it all. The next time I see the dramatic headline, it’s all under control and for now, the Earth’s careful guardians have it covered.
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