NASA warns of stadium-sized asteroid making close approach to Earth tomorrow

A massive asteroid, nearly the size of a stadium, is set to make a close flyby of Earth tomorrow, May 9, at 4:32 PM IST. Officially named 612356 (2002 JX8), this space rock spans approximately 950 feet (290 meters) in diameter and belongs to a group of objects known as Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) due to its sheer size and orbital path.

How Close Will It Come?

While the asteroid will not pose any immediate danger, it will pass Earth at a distance of 4.2 million kilometers — about 11 times the distance between Earth and the Moon. In astronomical terms, however, that is considered a relatively close encounter.

Why Is 2002 JX8 Being Closely Watched?

2002 JX8 is classified as an Apollo-type Near-Earth Object (NEO), a category of asteroids whose orbits cross Earth’s path around the Sun. This overlap increases the chances of a potential future collision. Objects of this size and trajectory are tracked meticulously by space agencies worldwide, as their long-term orbits can be unpredictable due to gravitational interactions and other space phenomena.

What Could Happen If It Ever Hit Earth?

If an asteroid like 2002 JX8 were to impact Earth, the consequences would be catastrophic. Traveling at speeds of up to 18,500 kilometers per hour, it would release energy comparable to tens of megatons of TNT—far surpassing the power of any nuclear bomb ever detonated.

An impact of this magnitude could level entire cities, trigger massive tsunamis if it struck the ocean, and inject vast amounts of dust into the atmosphere—potentially disrupting global climate systems and affecting millions of lives.

Are We Ready?

NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) and its network of observatories worldwide continuously track asteroids like 2002 JX8. Although significant progress has been made in identifying and monitoring such objects, thousands of NEOs are yet to be discovered, leaving room for potential surprises.

While tomorrow's flyby will be a safe one, the event serves as a reminder of the importance of planetary defense initiatives and continued space monitoring.