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NASA asteroid news 2025: NASA has confirmed that a massive asteroid, designated 2025 FA22, will make a close approach to Earth on September 18, 2025. The asteroid, discovered earlier this year by the Pan-STARRS 2 Survey in Hawaii, is being closely tracked by the Centre for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

Estimates suggest the asteroid is between 120 and 280 metres wide. By comparison, Delhi’s Qutub Minar stands at 73 metres. This makes FA22 almost twice to four times larger than the historic minaret, highlighting the scale of the cosmic visitor.

Should We Be Worried?

NASA confirmed that FA22 will pass at a distance of 8,42,000 kilometres from Earth, slightly more than twice the distance to the Moon. Scientists clarified that there is no risk of collision during this flyby or in the foreseeable future.

Key details of asteroid 2025 FA22

•Discovered: March 29, 2025, by Pan-STARRS 2 Survey in Hawaii

•Size: Estimated between 120 metres and 280 metres (twice to four times taller than Qutub Minar)

•Closest Approach Date: September 18, 2025

•Closest Distance: 8,42,000 km (about 2.19 lunar distances)

•Speed: Approximately 24,127 miles per hour

•Orbit: Moderately elongated, slightly tilted, completing one revolution around the Sun in ~1.85 years

•Brightness: Expected to reach 13th magnitude, visible with medium telescopes

•Classification: “Potentially Hazardous Asteroid” due to size and orbit, but no impact risk

•Observation Campaigns: NASA’s Goldstone radar, European, Japanese, and Australian telescopes scheduled for tracking between September 18–22

•Torino Scale Rating: Briefly rated 1 in early analysis, later revised to zero risk

Why Scientists Are Watching FA22 Closely?

The close pass has triggered a worldwide observation campaign under the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN). NASA’s Goldstone radar in California will capture high-resolution images, while facilities in Europe, Japan, and Australia will contribute to detailed tracking.

Though FA22 poses no danger, experts say such encounters are invaluable. Studying the asteroid’s orbit, composition, and surface features will improve planetary defence strategies and refine impact prediction models. “This is the closest approach in 2025 by an object of this size, and it gives us a chance to refine models, test radar imaging techniques, and study asteroid composition in detail,” researchers from the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) said.

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ISRO is also preparing to step up its asteroid research. Chairman S. Somanath has confirmed plans for collaboration with NASA, ESA, and JAXA for future asteroid missions, particularly ahead of the Apophis flyby in 2029.

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Asteroid 2025 FA22 highlights the importance of constant sky monitoring. While harmless now, such space rocks serve as a reminder of the dynamic nature of the solar system. Scientists emphasise that every flyby adds to global preparedness and knowledge of near-Earth objects.