ESA Lists Asteroid 2025 FA22 as Potential Earth Risk in 2089
ESA adds asteroid 2025 FA22 to its risk list. Although unlikely to impact Earth, the asteroid could pose a threat by 2089.
image for illustrative purpose
The European Space Agency (ESA) has recently included asteroid 2025 FA22 in its list of objects that could potentially endanger Earth. With a size of approximately 656 feet in diameter, 2025 FA22 is one of the top five asteroids currently considered a risk to our planet. The asteroid is predicted to make its closest approach to Earth on September 19, 2089.
While the probability of an impact is extremely low, standing at just 0.01 per cent, the event, if it were to occur, would take place over six decades from now. This offers a substantial amount of time to study the asteroid and prepare.
Discovered by the Pan-STARRS 2 telescope on March 29, 2025 FA22 has been categorized with a Palermo Scale rating of above -3. On the Torino Scale, the asteroid is classified at the boundary between levels 0 and 1. This indicates that, although the risk remains minimal, its potential threat warrants continued monitoring.
Additionally, asteroid 2025 FA22 will have a closer flyby of Earth on September 18, 2025. This event will provide scientists with a valuable opportunity to gather further data about the asteroid’s characteristics and possible collision scenarios. As part of the Apollo group of asteroids, 2025 FA22’s upcoming visit will be crucial for researchers working to better understand Near-Earth Objects (NEOs).
The ESA currently tracks a total of 1,782 objects on its risk list. These include asteroids and comets that are classified as NEOs, with 38,307 asteroids and 123 comets orbiting close to Earth. Despite the low likelihood of immediate danger, these celestial objects are closely monitored to assess any potential future risks.
