Asteroid the size of a skyscraper headed toward Earth in just HOURS

"When astronomers first spotted 2025 FA22 with the Pan-STARRS 2 telescope in Hawaii, the asteroid's large size and regular passes by Earth made it a significant threat for a catastrophic collision. The asteroid measures between 427 and 951 feet across, nearly as big as New York's famous Chrysler Building. Based on its current path around the solar system, 2025 FA22 will make close passes by Earth Thursday, in 2089, and again in 2173, when the asteroid is predicted to come within 200,000 miles of Earth."

"If an asteroid the size of 2025 FA22 were to strike the Earth, it could wipe out a major city and everything around it for dozens of miles, like a massive bomb going off. Such an asteroid impact could cause fires, earthquakes, and tsunamis. If it landed in the ocean, and throw up so much dust that it would block the sun for weeks, disrupting the weather and crops worldwide."

Asteroid 2025 FA22 will pass within about 520,000 miles of Earth at approximately 3:40am ET on Thursday. The rock measures between 427 and 951 feet across, comparable in height to the Chrysler Building. Observations began in March with the Pan-STARRS 2 telescope in Hawaii. Initial projections indicated a possible Earth impact during a 2089 return, but the European Space Agency removed 2025 FA22 from its watchlist after refined measurements. Orbital calculations predict additional close approaches in 2089 and 2173, the latter at roughly 200,000 miles. An impact by an object this size could destroy a major city and produce widespread fires, tsunamis, and prolonged atmospheric dust blocking sunlight. The Thursday approach presents an opportunity for Earth-based telescopic study.

Read at Mail Online