A potentially hazardous asteroid, known as 2025 FA22, will make a safe yet close approach to Earth on September 18. This celestial event is particularly exciting as the asteroid spans a length comparable to the Washington Monument. Enthusiasts and stargazers can watch the flyby live online, courtesy of the Virtual Telescope Project.
The asteroid's next flyby of Earth is scheduled for 3:42 a.m. EDT (07:42 GMT) on September 18. During this event, 2025 FA22 will pass at a distance of 523,206 miles (842,018 kilometers) from our planet. This distance is approximately 2.2 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon, posing no risk to us or our lunar companion.
Stargazers interested in observing this extraordinary event can tune in to the Virtual Telescope Project's YouTube stream starting at 11 p.m. EDT on September 17 (3:00 GMT on September 18). Viewers will be treated to live views from the organization's robotic telescopes located in Italy as 2025 FA22 approaches its closest point to Earth.
Discovered in March of this year by the Pan-STARRS wide-field imaging facility, 2025 FA22 measures between 427 to 951 feet (130 to 290 meters) in width. Due to its size, brightness, and orbital characteristics, it has been classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA). This classification indicates that while it poses no immediate threat, its trajectory could potentially lead to close encounters with Earth in the future.
Although the upcoming flyby is completely safe, it is a remarkable event in the realm of astronomy. According to the JPL Center for NEO Studies, similar close encounters with asteroids of this size occur roughly once every ten years. Gianluca Masi, the founder of the Virtual Telescope Institute, highlighted this fact in a blog post announcing the live stream, emphasizing the significance of such an occurrence.
After its close pass, 2025 FA22 will continue on its looping path through the inner solar system, taking it well beyond the orbit of Mars. The asteroid follows a cycle that lasts approximately 668 days, ensuring that it remains an object of interest for astronomers and space enthusiasts alike.
Don’t miss this opportunity to witness a close approach of a potentially hazardous asteroid live. Mark your calendars for the live stream, and prepare to be amazed by the wonders of our solar system!
