×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Wednesday
14
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 9°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> World

Largest planet-killer asteroid to approach Earth this month arriving on…Saturday!

NASA spots a planet-killer asteroid approaching Earth & it is big enough to cause a major impact event...

Newsroom February 15 12:30

A potentially hazardous asteroid that’s big enough to trigger a nuclear winter and mass extinction events on Earth following a collision will intersect the planet’s path this weekend. According to the data collected by NASA, the approaching asteroid is larger than the tallest man-made structure in the world.

NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) has identified the incoming asteroid as 163373 (2002 PZ39). As indicated in CNEOS’ database, this asteroid is currently traveling toward Earth at a speed of almost 34,000 miles per hour.

CNEOS estimated that 163373 (2002 PZ39) has a diameter of around 3,250 feet, making it significantly bigger than the Burj Dubai, which is currently the tallest building in the world. Given its incredible size, 163373 (2002 PZ39) will be the biggest asteroid to approach Earth this month.

>Related articles

Tuesday the 13th: Why everyone thinks it’s bad luck

South Korea prosecutors seek death penalty for former President Yoon Suk Yeol

Parliamentary elections set for April 12 in Hungary as Orbán appears weakened in polls

According to CNEOS, 163373 (2002 PZ39) is an Apollo asteroid, which means it is known to intersect Earth’s path around the Sun from time to time. Due to its dangerous orbit and massive size, approaching space rock has been labeled as a potentially hazardous asteroid.

“Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) are currently defined based on parameters that measure the asteroid’s potential to make threatening close approaches to the Earth,” NASA explained in a statement.

Read more: ibtimes

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

#asteroid#Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS)#earth#hazardous#impact#nasa#Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs)#science#space#technology#world
> More World

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

The development plan for buildings on Alexandra Avenue has been launched

January 14, 2026

At least 2,571 people killed in repression of protests in Iran, according to human rights organisations

January 14, 2026

Natalia Kapodistria, the last descendant: “The film was extraordinary — It took my breath away”

January 14, 2026

Trump warns Iran of ‘very strong action’ if protester executions proceed

January 14, 2026

Sunshine till Friday – Weather unsettles over the weekend

January 14, 2026

Former President of Cyprus George Vassiliou dies

January 14, 2026

Municipal debts: New regulation freezes for extrajudicial settlement

January 14, 2026

“We will not go far with the blockades, we will find smart solutions”: The background and the dialogues in Mitsotakis’ discussion with farmers, what they gained

January 14, 2026
All News

> Lifestyle

Next-level skylines: The towers transforming cities in 2026

From living and working spaces, to places of culture and tourism, these skyscrapers showcase contemporary architecture

January 13, 2026

Stefanos Kasselakis: The family “jewel” in Ekali is up for rent at €20,000 per month

January 10, 2026

Emily Ratajkowski in Athens with Romain Gavras

January 2, 2026

Sakkari on the marriage proposal from Konstantinos Mitsotakis: “I am a very lucky girl”

January 2, 2026

Konstantinos Mitsotakis proposed to Maria Sakkari

January 1, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα