NASA has issued an alert about a massive asteroid approaching Earth this week. The US space agency has identified Asteroid 2025 DA15, a 110-ft celestial body nearly twice the size of the Taj Mahal, which will be hurtling toward Earth on March 23, 2025, at 9:24 PM IST. Although the asteroid will pass at a safe distance of 6,480,000 kilometers, its high-speed trajectory—77,282 km/h—makes it a significant subject of study for astronomers and scientists.
Asteroid 2025 DA15: Size, Speed, And Distance
This 110-foot-wide asteroid will travel at a staggering speed of 77,282 kilometers per hour. The colossal space rock is 540 feet (165 meters) in width, which is calculated to be roughly double the size of the Taj Mahal. However, despite its size and velocity, NASA does not classify it as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA). The PHA designation is reserved for asteroids over 140 meters in diameter that pass within 7.5 million kilometers of Earth.
Why and How Does NASA Track Asteroids?
NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) works tirelessly with global observatories like Pan-STARRS, the Catalina Sky Survey, and NEOWISE to keep an eye on asteroids and assess any potential threats. Using advanced technology like NASA’s Goldstone Radar, scientists can accurately predict an asteroid’s path, ensuring early warnings and precise tracking to keep our planet safe. Data is gathered from NASA-funded telescopes, radar systems, and amateur astronomers worldwide. However, many space rocks remain undetected until they are dangerously close.
What Will The Asteroids Do?
According to NASA, the 2025TN17 will safely pass Earth on March 26, 2025, at 5:04 PM IST. Its closest approach will be at 5 million kilometers—exceeding 13 times the Earth-Moon distance—yet its PHA designation warrants serious consideration. The asteroid belongs to the Apollo family of near-Earth objects (NEO), asteroids known to cross Earth’s orbital path. Whilst these celestial bodies typically pass Earth safely, they possess the capability to impact our planet should their trajectories alter. Astronomers maintain close surveillance of Apollo asteroids, as even minor orbital deviations could result in catastrophic Earth collisions. It’s sheer size is a reminder of the devastating impact an asteroid of this magnitude could have.
Scientists estimate that if a 540-foot asteroid were to collide with Earth, it would unleash energy equivalent to hundreds of nuclear explosions. The aftermath could be catastrophic—wiping out entire regions, triggering massive firestorms, and altering the global climate for centuries.
