Prepare for a cosmic event as astronomers predict the passage of an asteroid equivalent to the size of a skyscraper, scheduled to come within 1.7 million miles of Earth this Friday. Thankfully, there’s no need for concern as it will maintain a safe distance, about seven times farther than the Earth-to-moon span, ensuring no risk of impact.
NASA estimates the asteroid’s size to be in the range of 690 feet to 1,575 feet, drawing comparisons to iconic structures like New York City’s Empire State Building or Chicago’s Willis Tower. This celestial traveler, dubbed 2008 OS7, was initially discovered in 2008 and won’t make its return until 2032. However, the next encounter is anticipated to be at a significantly greater distance, approximately 45 million miles away.
To provide a clearer picture, NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies has outlined a size range of 690 feet to 1,575 feet (210 meters to 480 meters). The upcoming harmless flyby is part of a series of celestial events this week, featuring three smaller asteroids on Friday, each measuring no more than tens of yards. Additionally, two more encounters with smaller asteroids are on the agenda for Saturday. Finally, Sunday will bring an asteroid roughly half the size of 2008 OS7, passing by at a secure distance of 4.5 million miles.
