Two Airplane-Sized Asteroids to Safely Pass Earth on July 26, Confirms NASA
July 24, 2025 — NASA has confirmed that two near-Earth asteroids, identified as 2025 OU1 and 2025 OX, will make close—but safe—flybys of our planet on Saturday, July 26. While their proximity has raised interest among skywatchers and scientists alike, space agency officials stress that there is no danger of impact.
🪨 Quick Facts on the Asteroids:
| Asteroid | Size (Est.) | Closest Approach Distance |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 OU1 | ~140 feet (~43 meters) | ~1.66 million miles (2.67 million km) |
| 2025 OX | ~110 feet (~33 meters) | ~2.81 million miles (4.52 million km) |
🛰️ No Cause for Alarm, Say Scientists
According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and its Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS), both asteroids are well outside the Moon’s orbit, and their trajectories have been precisely calculated. Neither 2025 OU1 nor 2025 OX meets the criteria to be classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA).
“We track thousands of near-Earth objects daily. These two are interesting flybys but pose absolutely no threat to Earth,” says Dr. Michelle Jenkins, planetary defense analyst at JPL.
To qualify as a PHA, an asteroid must be:
- Larger than 150 meters (492 feet) in diameter
- Pass within 7.4 million kilometers (~4.6 million miles) of Earth
Both 2025 OU1 and 2025 OX fall well below the size threshold and are outside the risk zone.
🔭 Why These Flybys Matter
Even though these asteroids won’t hit Earth, they offer valuable scientific opportunities:
- Radar Imaging: Ground-based radar will track their paths to refine orbit models.
- Spectral Analysis: Telescopes may gather data on surface composition and spin.
- Impact Simulations: Their sizes and speeds help validate planetary defense models.
“Every safe flyby gives us another chance to sharpen our tools,” notes NASA astronomer Dr. Carlos Herrera. “Think of it as a fire drill for space.”
🌍 How Close is “Close”?
To the average person, millions of miles might not sound “close.” But in cosmic terms, it’s a hair’s breadth.
- Moon’s distance from Earth: ~238,855 miles (~384,400 km)
- OU1’s flyby distance: 7x farther than the Moon
- OX’s flyby distance: 11x farther
So yes, they’re “close,” but not “hide-under-your-bed” close.
🔭 Can I See Them?
Unfortunately, no naked-eye viewing is expected. Due to their small size and distance, you’d need a high-powered telescope—and excellent timing.
Discover more from SparkMantis
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
