A large near-Earth asteroid is set to make a swift, safe pass by our planet on August 20, according to astronomers tracking its path. The object, designated 1997 QK1, is roughly the size of a football stadium and will come within about 1.87 million miles of Earth—close in cosmic terms, but nowhere near a collision course.
What’s actually happening on August 20
1997 QK1 is a member of the Aten family of asteroids, which orbit the Sun in a way that crosses Earth’s path. That’s one reason it gets special attention when it lines up for a favorable flyby. This month’s approach is a good window for observations: radar teams are preparing to ping the asteroid to refine its size, shape, spin, and trajectory. Those measurements help tighten future predictions and fill in the picture of what this object is made of.
Why “potentially hazardous” doesn’t mean “dangerous today”
You might see the phrase “potentially hazardous asteroid” attached to objects like this one. That label sounds ominous, but it’s really an engineering flag: it marks asteroids that are both large and capable of passing within a few million kilometers of Earth at some point. It does not mean an impact is expected. For 1997 QK1’s current pass, the risk is effectively zero. Astronomers track these flybys precisely so we can say that with confidence.
A routine flyby with scientific upside
Even a harmless pass is valuable. Radar imaging during close approaches can:
- Sharpen the asteroid’s orbit, reducing uncertainties in future forecasts.
- Reveal surface features and shape—whether it’s a lumpy “rubble pile” or more monolithic.
- Measure rotation and hint at internal structure.
Those clues feed into broader planetary defense work, which is less about alarm and more about preparation and understanding.
The bigger picture
Asteroids swing by Earth all the time—most are smaller, most get less attention, and nearly all pass without incident. What sets 1997 QK1 apart is its size and a geometry that favors detailed observation this month. Looking ahead, the community’s next headline event is 99942 Apophis in April 2029: a dramatic, ultra-close flyby that’s already booked as a once-in-a-generation science opportunity, not a threat.
Bottom line
- The August 20 flyby is safe. No impact risk.
- The distance—about 1.87 million miles—is comfortably far.
- Scientists will use the pass to learn more about 1997 QK1 and improve future predictions.
If agencies release updated measurements after the radar campaign, expect fresh details on the asteroid’s size, spin, and surface—more science, same safety.