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NASA has confirmed that five asteroids will make close approaches to Earth between August 27 and September 1, just days after asteroid 2024 PQ5 passed safely by on August 20. None of the incoming space rocks pose a danger, but scientists are monitoring them closely as part of ongoing efforts to track near-Earth objects that could threaten the planet.
The first of the group, asteroid 2020 RL, is expected to pass Earth on August 27 at a distance of 2.91 million miles. Measuring about 110 feet, roughly the size of a passenger aircraft, it will be the first of several flybys.
Two days later, on August 29, asteroid 2021 RA10 will make its closest approach at 1.62 million miles. At 92 feet across, it is large enough to cause significant local damage if it were ever to impact, though no collision risk exists this time.
Asteroid 2012 SX49, measuring 64 feet, will pass much farther away at 26.65 million miles. Despite being smaller, NASA continues to track such objects to build accurate models of their orbits.
The largest of the group, 2016 RJ20, is estimated at 210 feet wide and will approach on August 31, passing within 4.34 million miles of Earth. NASA classifies it as the most notable of this series of flybys because of its size.
Finally, asteroid 2012 JT, measuring 30 feet, will pass at 3.95 million miles on September 1. Though the smallest of the group, it still falls under NASA’s near-Earth object watch list.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory uses telescopes and radar systems such as NEOWISE to track thousands of asteroids and refine predictions of their future paths. Even small changes in trajectory could increase risks, which is why the agency monitors all flybys.
Scientists stress that while flybys like these are routine, tracking them provides valuable data. Studying near-Earth asteroids helps researchers better understand the solar system’s formation and develop planetary defense strategies. NASA has already tested one such defense with its DART mission, which successfully redirected a small asteroid in 2022.
Most Earth impacts, if they ever occurred, would likely happen in the oceans, since water covers 70 percent of the planet. Still, NASA considers precise tracking and long-term planning essential to protecting both people and infrastructure from potential future threats.
