Skyscraper-Size Asteroid Will Buzz Earth on Friday, Safely Passing Within 1.7 Million Miles 

This image provided by Virtual Telescope Project out of Italy shows a single 180-second exposure asteroid that was approaching Earth, about 4 million kilometers. (Virtual Telescope Project via AP)
This image provided by Virtual Telescope Project out of Italy shows a single 180-second exposure asteroid that was approaching Earth, about 4 million kilometers. (Virtual Telescope Project via AP)
TT
20

Skyscraper-Size Asteroid Will Buzz Earth on Friday, Safely Passing Within 1.7 Million Miles 

This image provided by Virtual Telescope Project out of Italy shows a single 180-second exposure asteroid that was approaching Earth, about 4 million kilometers. (Virtual Telescope Project via AP)
This image provided by Virtual Telescope Project out of Italy shows a single 180-second exposure asteroid that was approaching Earth, about 4 million kilometers. (Virtual Telescope Project via AP)

An asteroid as big as a skyscraper will pass within 1.7 million miles of Earth on Friday.

Don’t worry: There’s no chance of it hitting us since it will pass seven times the distance from Earth to the moon.

NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies estimates the space rock is between 690 feet and 1,575 feet (210 meters and 480 meters) across. That means the asteroid could be similar in size to New York City’s Empire State Building or Chicago’s Willis Tower.

Discovered in 2008, the asteroid is designated as 2008 OS7. It won’t be back our way again until 2032, but it will be a much more distant encounter, staying 45 million miles (72 million kilometers) away.

The harmless flyby is one of several encounters this week. Three much smaller asteroids also will harmlessly buzz Earth on Friday, no more than tens of yards (meters) across, with another two on Saturday. On Sunday, an asteroid roughly half the size of 2008 0S7 will swing by, staying 4.5 million miles (7.3 million kilometers) away.



Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Launches Eventful ‘Summer Untold’ Program

Enjoying a milder climate with temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than neighboring cities, AlUla is an ideal destination for both remote work and leisure. (SPA)
Enjoying a milder climate with temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than neighboring cities, AlUla is an ideal destination for both remote work and leisure. (SPA)
TT
20

Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Launches Eventful ‘Summer Untold’ Program

Enjoying a milder climate with temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than neighboring cities, AlUla is an ideal destination for both remote work and leisure. (SPA)
Enjoying a milder climate with temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than neighboring cities, AlUla is an ideal destination for both remote work and leisure. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s AlUla has launched its summer program under the theme “Summer Untold,” offering a rich collection of experiences that blend ancient heritage sites with breathtaking natural landscapes.

Enjoying a milder climate with temperatures 5 to 10 degrees Celsius cooler than neighboring cities, the governorate is an ideal destination for both remote work and leisure.

The program features exclusive hotel packages at AlUla’s luxury resorts nestled in nature, alongside a series of artistic events at the local amphitheater that combine live music performances with AlUla’s stunning surroundings. Guests can also enjoy musical experiences by the pool, set against a backdrop of majestic mountains and golden sands.

Returning this August for its third edition, the AlUla Desert Blaze trail race offers an ideal challenge for adventure seekers, who will race through some of AlUla’s most iconic landmarks amid its spectacular desert terrain.

The program also invites visitors to explore the summer oasis farms and discover the traditional lifestyles of farmers in AlUla’s Old Town.

Furthermore, AlUla Adventure Hub is rolling out an exciting lineup of thrill-seeking activities this summer, beginning in the early morning hours among the region’s striking desert landscapes. Highlights include the AlUla Zipline, the longest and fastest of its kind in the Kingdom, offering breathtaking mountain views, as well as the Giant Swing, the AlUla Stairway, mountain rappelling, the Via Ferrata, the Canyon Hammock, and rock-climbing adventures.