Two Asteroids to Safely Pass Earth on January 9, 2025, NASA Confirms

Two asteroids, 2024 YW9 and 2024 PT5, will pass close to Earth on January 9, 2025, but pose no threat, NASA confirmed. The space agency has been tracking the objects, which will safely pass at distances of over a million kilometers from Earth. Regular monitoring and advanced detection systems ensure these asteroids do not endanger our planet.

Asteroid 2024 YW9, approximately 60 feet in diameter—about the size of a house—will make its closest approach at 4:10 AM IST, passing 1,040,000 kilometers (645,000 miles) from Earth. Traveling at 28,165 kilometers per hour, it will remain well within safe margins. The second asteroid, 2024 PT5, is smaller, with a diameter of 36 feet, roughly the size of a bus. It will pass Earth at 7:41 AM IST, maintaining a distance of 1,800,000 kilometers (1.1 million miles) while moving at 3,691 kilometers per hour.

NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office emphasized that neither asteroid qualifies as a Potentially Hazardous Object (PHO). “Any asteroid larger than approximately 150 meters across with a minimum orbit intersection distance of 7.5 million kilometers is considered a PHO,” a NASA spokesperson said. “Both 2024 YW9 and 2024 PT5 fall far below these thresholds.”

The agency relies on ground-based and space-based observatories, such as the Catalina Sky Survey and NEOWISE, to track Near-Earth Objects (NEOs). These systems enable scientists to monitor an object’s position, size, and trajectory, ensuring accurate predictions of its path. Early detection is a cornerstone of NASA’s strategy, allowing for timely assessments and public communication.

“These close approaches are routine in space,” the spokesperson added. “NASA’s tracking systems provide a high degree of accuracy, ensuring we can predict and mitigate any potential risks.” The agency has been monitoring 2024 YW9 and 2024 PT5 for months, confirming their safe passage well in advance.

NASA’s efforts highlight the importance of continued observation of NEOs. While close approaches like these are common, they underscore the need for vigilance in tracking objects that could pose a threat in the future. The agency’s advanced technology and early warning systems play a critical role in safeguarding Earth from potential impacts.