A skyscraper-sized asteroid named 2025 FA22 is set to make a close approach to Earth this week — and you can watch it live online.
The asteroid, estimated to be between 427 and 951 feet wide, will pass by Earth in the early hours of Thursday, September 18, coming within 520,000 miles of our planet — roughly twice the distance to the Moon — while moving at a speed of around 24,000 mph.
Discovered in March by the Pan-STARRS 2 telescope in Hawaii, 2025 FA22 initially raised concerns due to early trajectory predictions that hinted at a slight chance of impact in 2089. It was briefly added to the European Space Agency’s Risk List, which monitors potentially hazardous near-Earth objects. However, after updated observations, scientists ruled out any threat, and the asteroid was removed from the list in May.
You can catch the flyby in real time thanks to the Virtual Telescope Project, which will livestream the event using its telescope in Manciano, Italy. The free broadcast begins on Wednesday, September 17, at 11 p.m. EDT.
Skywatchers with backyard telescopes or binoculars might also be able to spot the asteroid. At its brightest, it could reach an apparent magnitude of 13, just within the range of amateur equipment. Websites like TheSkyLive.com can help track the asteroid’s position in the night sky.
Meanwhile, NASA’s Goldstone radar in California, along with observatories around the world, will be closely monitoring the flyby to gather more precise data on the asteroid’s size, shape, and trajectory.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ