Bus-Sized Asteroid to Pass Closer to Earth Than the Moon Today

A cosmic visitor the size of a school bus is making a close approach to our planet today. Dubbed 2025 AB, this asteroid will zoom past Earth at a distance less than half as far as our Moon.

About Asteroid 2025 AB

Asteroid 2025 AB is one of the first asteroids discovered in 2025, and it’s approximately the size of a standard American school bus, measuring between 32.8 and 72.2 feet in diameter.

Approach Details

According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Center for Near-Earth Object Studies, 2025 AB is expected to zoom past Earth on January 3 at a speed of around 11.33 km/s, which equates to roughly 25,300 mph. This is significantly faster than even the most powerful bullets.

Specifically, the asteroid will pass our planet at a distance of about 95,200 miles. In comparison, the Moon orbits approximately 238,900 miles from Earth, making this approach notable given the close proximity.

Classifications of Near-Earth Objects

2025 AB, like many asteroids passing close to Earth, is classified as a near-Earth object (NEO). By definition, NEOs are any objects within 30 million miles of our planet. Currently, there are over 36,000 identified NEOs in our solar system.

Potentially Hazardous Asteroids

Some NEOs are designated as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs) or potentially hazardous objects (PHOs). These are defined as objects within roughly 4.6 million miles of Earth’s orbit and with a diameter of at least 460 feet. PHOs also require a specific brightness (absolute magnitude of 22.0 or less), indicating they could cause significant regional damage if they were to impact Earth.

Additional Close Approaches

2025 AB will have company in its Earthly approach. Four other asteroids will also make close passes to our planet over the next few days. These asteroids include:

• 2024 YC9, house-sized
• 2024 YL1, bus-sized
• 2025 AE, plane-sized (approaches today)
• 2024 YL7, plane-sized (approaches tomorrow)

While these asteroids are making notable passes, they are all classified as NEOs, not PHAs. It’s important to note that being classified as a NEO or PHA does not necessarily mean an asteroid is on a collision course with Earth.

Discovering Asteroids and Mitigating Risks

Asteroids are constantly passing through our solar system, with many making close approaches to Earth. Discovering and tracking these asteroids is crucial for our safety. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and other organizations play a critical role in monitoring NEOs and assessing any potential risks.

Conclusion

Today, a school bus-sized asteroid will pass closer to Earth than our Moon. While this close encounter may seem alarming, it’s a testament to the advanced technology and systems we have in place to detect and track such objects. As we continue to explore space, our understanding and ability to mitigate any potential risks will only grow.

If you have a tip on a science story that Archynetys should be covering or any questions about asteroids, feel free to reach out to us at science@archynetys.com. Let’s continue exploring the wonders and challenges of our cosmic neighborhood together.