A massive asteroid is heading towards Earth, but there’s no need to panic—at least not yet. Measuring roughly 95 feet wide, asteroid 2025 ME92 is expected to make its closest approach on July 31, passing by our planet at a safe distance of 3.19 million kilometers. While the asteroid poses no immediate threat, its approach has caught the attention of global space agencies, including NASA and ISRO. Belonging to the Aten group, known for Earth-crossing orbits, ME92’s flyby serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present risks in space and the critical importance of planetary defense strategies.
Asteroid 2025 ME92 to zoom past Earth on July 31: Distance and speed
According to NASA, asteroid 2025 ME92 will zoom past Earth at a staggering speed of 11,831 miles per hour. Though it will maintain a safe distance of 3.19 million kilometers, that proximity is considered relatively close by astronomical standards.This asteroid is classified within the Aten group, a family of near-Earth objects (NEOs) whose orbits often intersect with Earth’s. While ME92 does not currently meet NASA’s criteria for a potentially hazardous asteroid—which requires the object to be larger than 85 meters and closer than 7.4 million kilometers—it is still under close observation due to the unpredictability of orbital shifts.
Why scientists continue monitoring “safe” asteroids
Although 2025 ME92 doesn’t qualify as a dangerous object, scientists are not letting their guard down. Even small gravitational tugs or solar radiation pressure can alter an asteroid’s trajectory over time. These changes, though subtle, could eventually lead to a collision risk in the future.NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) continues to maintain an active watchlist of asteroids, using both ground-based and space-based telescopes to refine orbital predictions and simulate impact scenarios—just in case. For now, asteroid 2025 ME92 will pass by Earth without incident, serving as yet another reminder that space is not as distant or silent as it appears. With hundreds of thousands of asteroids and near-Earth objects moving through our cosmic neighborhood, the need for international cooperation and continuous tracking grows more urgent by the day.The flyby of ME92 may be harmless, but it reinforces a universal truth: planetary defense is no longer optional—it’s essential.
ISRO’s role in planetary defense
India’s ISRO is also keeping a close eye on near-Earth objects. Chairman S. Somanath has recently spoken about the agency’s long-term interest in asteroid impact prevention, citing the example of Apophis, a larger asteroid that will make an exceptionally close approach in 2029.ISRO aims to collaborate with international partners like NASA, ESA, and JAXA to enhance its planetary defense capabilities. Plans include launching asteroid landing missions to better understand the composition and dynamics of these celestial bodies—critical data that can help devise deflection techniques in case of a real threat.Also Read | Solar Eclipse August 2 will bring 6 minutes of total darkness; Check, date, time, and visibility areas for a once-in-100-years phenomenon
