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A massive asteroid nearly as large as a New York skyscraper will make a close approach to Earth in the early hours of September 18, according to astronomers. 

The asteroid, officially named 2025 FA22, will hurtle past the planet at over 24,000 miles per hour. Scientists say the object, which measures between 427 and 951 feet in diameter, will also make repeat passes in 2089 and 2173.

While its size and speed would have devastating effects if it collided with Earth, both NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) have confirmed that it poses no immediate threat. Updated trajectory measurements have removed 2025 FA22 from ESA’s asteroid risk table.

“Impacts on this scale are rare, but the consequences would be catastrophic,” ESA researchers explained, noting that the September 18 flyby provides a rare opportunity to study a skyscraper-sized asteroid up close.

A Close Encounter With a Massive Asteroid

The asteroid was first detected in March 2025 by a telescope in Hawaii and quickly flagged as a “potentially hazardous asteroid.” Objects larger than 492 feet passing within 4.6 million miles of Earth automatically earn that classification under NASA’s Asteroid Watch program.

If 2025 FA22 were to strike Earth, scientists warn, the impact could devastate a major city, triggering fires, shockwaves, and even tsunamis. Thankfully, current calculations show it will pass safely.

Although it won’t be visible to the naked eye, astronomers with powerful telescopes or binoculars may spot it around 3:40 a.m. ET on September 18 as a faint moving dot against the night sky.

What Are Asteroids?

Asteroids are rocky remnants from the formation of the solar system about 4.6 billion years ago. Most reside in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, though some travel along the orbital paths of planets, including Earth.

• Composition: Mostly rock, some with clays, nickel, or iron
• Shape: Often jagged and irregular, unlike planets
• Size: Range from pebbles to hundreds of miles wide

According to NASA, there are more than 1.3 million known asteroids, with over 30,000 classified as near-Earth objects.

Global Efforts to Track Space Hazards

The flyby of 2025 FA22 underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring of space rocks. Programs like NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office and ESA’s asteroid tracking systems are designed to detect and assess threats early.

Meanwhile, global space agencies are developing strategies to mitigate potential hazards. For instance, NASA’s DART mission successfully demonstrated the ability to alter an asteroid’s trajectory in 2022. 

Looking forward, projects like China and Russia’s nuclear reactor plans for the Moon reflect growing international interest in space exploration and defense.

Though 2025 FA22 will pass harmlessly, it highlights the importance of keeping watch. As astronomers continue to refine asteroid-tracking technology, the Earth remains under the careful eye of scientists committed to planetary safety.