A Close Call with Asteroid 2025 FA22!

Get ready for some cosmic excitement! Tomorrow, on September 18, 2025, asteroid 2025 FA22 will zoom past Earth, dazzling astronomers and space enthusiasts alike.

Mark Your Calendars!

This celestial giant is set to make its closest approach at 07:41 UTC (09:41 CEST). Don't worry, it’s coming in safe and sound—over twice the distance between Earth and the Moon!

What is 2025 FA22?

Discovered in March 2025 using the powerful Pan-STARRS 2 telescope, this asteroid measures between 130 and 290 meters across. Initially, astronomers were concerned about a potential impact in 2089, thrusting it into the spotlight of the European Space Agency's asteroid risk list.

No Threat—Just Science!

Fortunately, follow-up observations have ruled out any danger, just as they did for asteroid 2024 YR4 earlier this year. But even though 2025 FA22 poses no risk, scientists are seizing this rare opportunity to study it up close.

A Stellar Observation Campaign!

The International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) will be in action, tracking 2025 FA22 as it glides by. The excitement doesn't just stop at the view—this campaign is vital for testing how experts measure the orbits and characteristics of large asteroids and how they collaborate globally.

What Will Astronomers Learn?

Researchers will conduct astrometry, measuring the asteroid's position, motion, and brightness. They'll also employ polarimetry to understand how sunlight scatters from its surface, revealing crucial details about its composition and texture.

The Bigger Picture!

While 2025 FA22 is harmless, studying asteroids like it is critical. Such knowledge can aid in developing strategies to deflect any future threats from dangerous asteroids on a collision course with our planet.

Don't Miss the Action!

Want to catch the asteroid in action? The Virtual Telescope Project has you covered with a live stream of this close encounter. Tune in and become part of this astronomical event!