An Asteroid the Size of the Leaning Tower of Pisa Approaches Earth in Days

SadaNews - Astronomers have detected an asteroid comparable in size to the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy, which is expected to pass close to Earth during the upcoming week, posing a potential threat.

The American space agency "NASA" announced that the asteroid (2025 OW) is expected to pass at a distance of 393,000 miles from Earth on Monday, July 28. Astronomers consider this distance to be relatively close and a genuine risk.

A report published by the British newspaper "Daily Mail" stated that the asteroid is one of five asteroids that will pass near NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory during the next week.

Two other asteroids, each ranging between 100 and 200 feet in length, are expected to pass within more than a million miles from Earth next Thursday. Additionally, another small asteroid is anticipated to pass by our planet later on.

Scientists have noted that asteroid (2025 OW) is the largest in this group and will reach its closest point to Earth next Monday.

It has been revealed that the length of this asteroid is about 210 feet, making it comparable to a 15-story building or a large airplane.

The anticipated distance of the asteroid from Earth is about 393,000 miles, allowing it to travel directly behind the moon since the moon orbits Earth at approximately 239,000 miles away.

While NASA has stated that asteroid (2025 OW) does not pose any current danger, they noted that asteroids of this size could cause minor structural damage or break windows if they enter the atmosphere over populated areas.

Astronomers classify (2025 OW) as a small to medium-sized asteroid, which means it is not large enough to cause an extinction event on Earth.

Typically, this type of asteroid explodes in the atmosphere and does not reach the Earth's surface due to intense frictional heating and pressure on the rock when entering at high speeds.

Scientists revealed that asteroid (2025 OW) is traveling at a speed of about 47,000 miles per hour, which is an average speed for an asteroid near Earth.

In comparison, asteroid (2024 MK), which measures 500 feet in length, was moving at nearly 34,000 miles per hour when it approached Earth at a distance of 184,000 miles last July.

Meanwhile, the massive asteroid "Apophis 99942", which is 1,100 feet long, is traveling at a speed of 67,000 miles per hour and is expected to come within 20,000 miles of Earth on April 13, 2029. At its closest point, its length of only 210 feet will not make it visible to the naked eye or with binoculars.

When it comes to tracking potentially hazardous asteroids, NASA's calculations are typically precise, meaning that the chances of asteroid (2025 OW) colliding with Earth are unlikely.

NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) uses ground-based telescopes and planetary radar systems, such as the Goldstone Solar System Radar, to monitor and track asteroids, measuring their position, speed, and brightness to determine their orbits and sizes.