On 18 September 2025, Earth will experience a remarkable astronomical event. Asteroid 2025 FA22, discovered earlier this year by the Pan-STARRS 2 Survey in Hawaii, is set to make a close pass by our planet. Though it’s harmless in terms of collision risk, its sheer size and velocity are drawing global scientific attention.
To put things in perspective: the asteroid’s estimated size ranges between 120 to 280 meters in diameter. That means even at its smallest, FA22 is nearly twice the height of Delhi’s iconic Qutub Minar (which stands at about 73 meters). On the larger side, it could be almost four times taller than the minaret.
As FA22 barrels through space at roughly 24,127 miles per hour, its closest approach will bring it to about 842,000 kilometers from Earth, which is more than twice the distance between us and the Moon. In astronomical terms, that’s close enough to observe carefully but not close enough to pose any danger.
Despite no threat of impact, FA22 is classified among Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). Why? Because it exceeds 85 meters in size and will pass within about 7.4 million kilometers of Earth—both thresholds for such classification. But risk assessments show its Turin Scale rating is very low, confirming safety.
Why do we study even “safe” asteroids like FA22? These close flybys are opportunities, opportunities to refine orbital models, improve detection systems, and test planetary defense strategies. And not just abroad: India’s space agency ISRO is increasingly involved in collaborations to monitor and better understand near-Earth objects.
FA22 reminds us that while the skies are vast and largely empty, staying vigilant matters. Each celestial visitor, even one with zero danger, helps us prepare better for the unknowns yet to come.
