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Gigantic asteroid 2008 DG5 is approaching – a safe view from Austria!
On June 6, 2025, asteroid 2008 DG5 passes Earth. A telescope is needed to see it. No risk of impact.
Gigantic asteroid 2008 DG5 is approaching – a safe view from Austria!
On June 6, 2025, asteroid 2008 DG5 will whiz past Earth at an altitude of 3.49 million kilometers. The time frame for this astronomical encounter is set at 1:57 a.m. CET. This corresponds to about nine times the distance to the moon. With a diameter of between 300 and 700 meters, 2008 DG5 is one of the Apollo asteroids because it crosses Earth's orbit. However, the European Space Agency (ESA) puts the probability of an impact at 0 percent, prompting experts such as Juan Luis Cano to emphasize that there is no reason to worry. According to Vol.at, the asteroid will be visible over Austria, but only with a telescope of at least 40 centimeters in diameter.
The ESA recommends specifically searching the sky for the asteroid at the specified time. The orbit of the 2008 DG5 around the Sun lasts 514 days, making it an interesting object to observe. After this flyby, it will not come close to Earth again until 2032, but then at a distance of around 15 million kilometers. A similar approach is not expected again until June 2080, with the next closer approach in 2163.
Observation notes and long-term monitoring
The upcoming encounter also opens up observation opportunities for amateur astronomers. As oe24.at reports, a 40 cm telescope should be available to capture the asteroid. This is an exciting opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts, while at the same time the threat from the asteroid remains minimal.
The international field of asteroid research has increased significantly in recent years. [RND.de](https://www.rnd.de/wissen/weltraum-forschung-asteroiden-aus-dem-all- Werden-streng-ueberwacht-EFTBQK7QXNMXFN5ZKVCQ2M37T4.html) points out that more than 1.3 million asteroids with good orbit information are known, and this number is increasing. Scientists are particularly fascinated by NEOs (Near-Earth Objects) because they can be potentially dangerous for the Earth. However, most of the known asteroids are located in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter.
In recent years, various asteroid defense missions have been launched to expand our understanding of these celestial bodies. The NASA probe “Dart” hit a double asteroid in September 2022 to change its orbit. ESA plans to launch its Hera probe later this year to collect more data on the double asteroid.