Here\u2019s an illustration showing the path of asteroid 2025 OS that safely passed Earth on July 18. Image via NASA\/JPL. Used with permission.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAsteroid 2025 OS passed Earth this weekend<\/h3>\n
Astronomers detected an asteroid passing close to Earth on July 19, 2025. The discovery was made using a 20\u2033 (0.5 meter) telescope at the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) station in Chile.<\/p>\n
Astronomers say the asteroid was traveling at a speed of 28,409 miles per hour (45,720 km\/h), or 7.9 miles per second (12.70 km\/sec), relative to Earth.<\/p>\n
After analyzing the space rock trajectory, scientists realized the asteroid was closest to Earth a few hours earlier, at around 11:20 pm ET on Friday 18, 2025. At closest approach, it passed 2,534 miles (4,078 km) from Earth. That\u2019s extremely close, considering Earth\u2019s diameter is about 7,926 miles (12,760 kilometers).<\/p>\n
It was designated as asteroid 2025 OS by the Minor Planet Center.<\/p>\n
At closest approach<\/h3>\n
According to NASA\/JPL, the asteroid passed just southeast of Australia during its closest approach to Earth around 11:20 pm ET on Friday 18, 2025.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, it posed no danger to Earth. Asteroid 2025 OS is a small asteroid with an estimated size between 8.85 to 19.7 ft (2.7 and 6.0 meters) in diameter. <\/p>\n
If asteroid 2025 OS had entered our atmosphere, most of it would have disintegrated as a spectacular meteor.<\/p>\n
Generally, small asteroids are difficult to detect. On the other hand, larger asteroids reflect more sunlight, so they are easier to detect. <\/p>\n
Bottom line: Astronomers discovered asteroid 2025 OS on July 19, 2025. It passed closest to Earth on July 18. It is a small asteroid, so it posed no danger to Earth.<\/p>\n
Via IAU Minor Planet Center<\/p>\n
Read more: Calculating whether an asteroid might hit Earth<\/p>\n
Read more: We\u2019re getting better at seeing asteroids that may hit Earth<\/p>\n
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Eddie Irizarry<\/h4>\n
View Articles\n <\/p><\/div>\n
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About the Author:<\/h6>\n
Eddie Irizarry of the Sociedad de Astronom\u00eda del Caribe (Astronomical Society of the Caribbean) has been a NASA Solar System Ambassador since 2004. He loves public outreach and has published multiple astronomy articles for EarthSky, as well as for newspapers in Puerto Rico. He has also offered dozens of conferences related to asteroids and comets at the Arecibo Observatory.
\n Asteroid 33012EddieIrizarry, a 7.8 km space rock, has been named in his honor.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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