Four previously undiscovered near-Earth asteroids (NEOs) will make close approaches to Earth during this month, according to recent discoveries. The four space objects, classified as 2025 CK1, 2025 CR1, 2025 CP1, and 2025 CJ, belong to the Apollo and Aten groups and will approach Earth at dangerously close distances.
The asteroid proximity alerts us to permanent space rock threats that exist throughout our cosmic surroundings, despite no current danger to our planet. The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) scientists maintain continuous observation of these NEOs to predict their paths and upcoming near encounters.
Asteroid 2025 CK1
The first asteroid, 2025 CK1, belongs to the Apollo class because its elongated orbit lets it approach Earth dangerously close. At 06:20 UTC on February 6, 2025, the asteroid will travel past Earth at a distance of 1.57 million km, which corresponds to four times the distance to the Moon. According to astronomical measurements, this proximity is relatively close. Solar system observers keep a close eye on this asteroid because it moves at 10.11 km/s relative to Earth while traversing the inner solar system.
Asteroid 2025 CR1
The asteroid 2025 CR1 will create an extremely close flyby at only 513,772 km and remain closer than the distance to the Moon. On February 6 at 15:33 UTC 2025, CR1 belonging to the Apollo group will pass Earth. The small Earth Minimum Orbit Intersection Distance of 0.0016 AU defines 2025 CR1 as having a higher potential for future collision events. The analysis of its 6.02 km/s speed orbit continues to determine if trajectory modifications will result in it getting even closer to Earth.
Asteroid 2025 CP1
It belongs to the Aten-class asteroid category since its orbital path crosses Earth, although it is smaller than our planet's orbit. The space rock's dimension of 28.6 in absolute magnitude does not indicate a large size, but its regular approaches to Earth make it significant. The closest point of 2025 CP1 to Earth occurred on February 5 as it approached within 0.0031 AU from our planet. This asteroid orbits Earth with a speed of 253 days before reaching proximity to our planet again.
Asteroid 2025 CJ
The last asteroid in the group, named 2025 CJ, belongs to the Apollo-class category and exhibits a marginally better orbital stability. The asteroid reached its nearest distance to Earth on February 5, but its reduced speed compared to other asteroids makes it less urgent considering its current trajectory. Its long-term trajectory warrants careful observation because the asteroid keeps a minimum orbit distance of 0.0037 AU.
The asteroid monitoring activities remain essential because these asteroids show the necessity to track space debris despite lacking current impact potential. Researchers maintain continuous vigilance about modifications in asteroid orbits because these alterations might result in closer approaches during upcoming years.