Asteroid bigger than the Empire State Building to fly by Earth this week: What if it strikes?

In a rare astronomical occurrence, an asteroid larger than the Golden Gate Bridge or the Empire State building is expected to make a safe pass by Earth on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The asteroid, formally designated 424482 (2008 DG5), is estimated to measure between 310 to 690 metres (1,017 to 2,264 feet), placing it among the largest 3% of known asteroids, according to data from SpaceReference.org.

Despite its massive size, the asteroid poses no threat to Earth. The object will pass at a distance of 2.17 million miles (3.49 million kilometres)—approximately nine times farther than the Moon, which orbits Earth at an average distance of 238,855 miles (384,400 km), as mentioned in a report by Forbes.

ESA Labels It 'Infrequent' Due to Size and Distance

Although the flyby may seem distant in terrestrial terms, the European Space Agency (ESA) has termed the event “infrequent” owing to the asteroid’s scale and relatively close approach. According to international standards, any object over 492 feet (150 metres) in diameter passing within 4.6 million miles (7.4 million kilometres) is categorized as a “potentially hazardous object.” Thus, 2008 DG5 falls within that classification, despite no danger of collision.

Origins and Discovery of Asteroid 2008 DG5

Asteroid 2008 DG5 belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids, known for orbits that intersect Earth’s path around the Sun. The object completes a full solar orbit roughly every 514 Earth days. It was first spotted in 2008 by astronomers from the Catalina Sky Survey, an Arizona-based observatory operating under NASA’s Near-Earth Object Observation Program.

The next anticipated close approach of this asteroid will not occur until 2032, marking this year's flyby as a rare chance for researchers and skywatchers to monitor such a sizable near-Earth object, as per the Forbes report.

Potential Consequences of a Hypothetical Impact

While 2008 DG5 will pass harmlessly, astronomers often talk about the potential consequences of similar objects entering Earth’s atmosphere. An asteroid of this size could cause widespread regional devastation, generating shockwaves, fires, or tsunamis depending on the impact site.

To draw a comparison, NASA cites the Tunguska event of 1908, caused by an asteroid only 130 feet (40 metres) wide, which devastated over 2,000 square kilometres of Siberian forest. At the extreme end, the Chicxulub impact, believed to have wiped out the dinosaurs, involved an asteroid estimated at 10 to 15 kilometres in diameter.

Recent Close Call: The Case of Asteroid 2024 YR4

Earlier this year, a separate asteroid known as 2024 YR4 made headlines after early predictions suggested a possible impact on December 22, 2032. The object, which is approximately 130 to 300 feet in diameter—about as tall as the Statue of Liberty—initially presented a 3.1% chance of collision, the highest ever recorded for an asteroid of that size.

The Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) in Chile first detected 2024 YR4 on December 27, 2024, triggering widespread concern. However, after further analysis, NASA's Center for Near-Earth Object Studies announced on February 24 that the probability of impact had dropped to near zero.

FAQs:

What is asteroid 2008 DG5?

Asteroid 2008 DG5 is a massive near-Earth object belonging to the Apollo group of asteroids, which are known for their Earth-crossing orbits. It measures between 310 to 690 meters (1,017 to 2,264 feet), placing it among the top 3% of the largest known asteroids.

When will asteroid 2008 DG5 pass by Earth?

The asteroid is expected to make its closest approach to Earth on Thursday, June 5, 2025.