×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Saturday
18
Jul 2026
weather symbol
Athens 29°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

Δείτε περισσότερα άρθρα μας στα αποτελέσματα αναζήτησης

Add Protothema.gr on Google

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

Very few ships are now passing through the Strait of Hormuz

Parasite found in fast-food chain’s lettuce linked to diarrheal outbreak in the U.S.

Major fire engulfs Norwegian residential area: 40–50 homes destroyed, explosions reported

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

Very few ships are now passing through the Strait of Hormuz

July 18, 2026

First major summer getaway: More than 101,000 passengers and 243 ferry departures over the weekend from Piraeus, Rafina, and Lavrio

July 18, 2026

Parasite found in fast-food chain’s lettuce linked to diarrheal outbreak in the U.S.

July 17, 2026

“Elections under siege”: Why Trump insists China “rigged” the 2020 election and how much evidence supports claims of illegal migrants on voter rolls

July 17, 2026

Major fire engulfs Norwegian residential area: 40–50 homes destroyed, explosions reported

July 17, 2026

Hellenic Train: Thessaloniki–Serres train halted due to technical fault

July 17, 2026

Archaeological discoveries in Libya reshape understanding of the Mediterranean: Ancient theatre and a unique Greek hippodrome uncovered

July 17, 2026

Traffic at a standstill: Heavy congestion on Kifisos and Attiki Odos as holiday getaway begins

July 17, 2026
All News

> Greece

In reverence, the emotional deposition in Jerusalem, see photos & video

The Holy Temple of the Resurrection opened after many days due to the war between Israel and Iran

April 10, 2026

In the final stretch for the accreditation of joint master’s degrees: Aiming for their launch in the coming academic year

April 10, 2026

Schedule for Epitaph Procession today (10/4)

April 10, 2026

Perfect weather for Easter excursions, according to Tsatrafyllia’s forecast

April 10, 2026

Easter in Greece: The customs that continue in Greek tradition – From Nafpaktos to Corfu

April 10, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα