Prepare for a Cosmic Showdown!

Get ready for an out-of-this-world spectacle as a recently identified asteroid, comparable in size to a commercial airliner, zips by Earth on September 3! This incredible event will allow stargazers to witness the close encounter live online.

A Close Call at Lunar Distances

Designated as 2025 QD8, this near-Earth asteroid will make its closest approach at a mere 135,465 miles (218,009 kilometers) from our planet, which is about 57% of the distance between the Earth and the moon. It’s set to streak past us at a breathtaking speed of over 28,000 miles per hour (45,000 km/h)!

Watch Live: Experience the Approach!

Thanks to the Virtual Telescope Project, you won’t miss a second of this flyby. They’ll be live streaming the event on YouTube starting at 7 p.m. ET (23:00 GMT) on September 2. Tune in for stunning views of asteroid 2025 QD8 as it approaches, captured by advanced robotic telescopes stationed in Manciano, Italy.

Remarkable Size, No Danger!

This astrological giant has an estimated diameter between 55 and 124 feet (17 to 38 meters) and poses no threat to Earth or the moon during its swift passage. It’s a remarkable opportunity to witness a chunk of rock hurling through space without any worries!

A Sneak Peek from Space!

Just days prior, on August 30, the Virtual Telescope Project successfully captured a distant image of the asteroid from about 2.4 million miles away using a 17-inch telescope affectionately named "Elena." The 300-second exposure reveals 2025 QD8 as a small dot amidst a vibrant backdrop of stars.

NASA's Asteroid Watch: A Universe of Possibilities!

NASA and its collaborators have identified tens of thousands of asteroids with pathways that bring them near Earth, including numerous that are potentially hazardous. Keep your eyes on the skies—who knows what exciting celestial phenomena await us next!