NASA has issued an alert about two asteroids, 2025 BF5 and 2025 BS4, that will make dangerously close flybys by Earth tomorrow, January 28. Though no immediate danger of collision is expected, the close proximity of these space rocks raises concerns about the risk of an impact. Should we be worried?
Asteroid 2025 BF5: Size, Time And Speed
The first asteroid, 2025 BF5, measures 36 feet in size and is classified as an Apollo near-Earth object (NEO). It is expected to pass within 1.28 million kilometres of Earth at 9:20 AM IST. While this distance may seem vast, in cosmic terms, it’s dangerously close. The asteroid is travelling at a speed of 40,745 km/h, and even a small deviation in its path could bring it closer to our planet.
Asteroid 2025 BS4: Size, Time And Speed
The second asteroid, 2025 BS4, is smaller at 22 feet in size but is moving faster than its counterpart at 57,617 km/h. It will make its closest approach at 10:06 AM IST, coming within just 823,000 kilometres of Earth. Although this is slightly closer, it is still well beyond the danger zone. However, the speed at which it’s travelling makes it a potential hazard if it were to change course unexpectedly.
What Are Apollo Asteroids?
Apollo asteroids are a group of near-Earth objects that have orbits crossing Earth’s orbit around the Sun. These asteroids can vary in size, but if one were to collide with Earth, the impact could be catastrophic. The larger the asteroid, the greater the potential damage. An asteroid impact could result in massive destruction, fires, tsunamis, and even global climate changes, depending on the size of the rock.