In a thrilling celestial event, four asteroids are set to zoom past Earth on Friday, with one of them being as big as a skyscraper. According to astronomers, the massive space rock will come within a distance of 1.7 million miles from our planet, which is approximately seven times the distance between the Earth and the moon. NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies has estimated that this asteroid measures between 690 feet and 1,575 feet in diameter, making it comparable in size to iconic structures like New York City's Empire State Building or Chicago's Willis Tower.

Although the asteroid, known as 2008 OS7, was discovered back in 2008, it won't make its way back to our vicinity until 2032. However, during this future encounter, it will remain a much more distant 45 million miles away. Despite its size, experts assure that there is no need to panic as the flyby poses no threat to our planet.

This close encounter is just one of several that will occur this week. On Friday, three smaller asteroids, measuring no more than tens of yards across, will also safely buzz Earth. The following day, another two asteroids will pass harmlessly by. On Sunday, an asteroid roughly half the size of 2008 OS7 will swing by, but it will stay at a distance of 4.5 million miles away.

NASA has labeled this particular asteroid as "potentially hazardous," although there is no cause for concern. As part of its Virtual Telescope Project, NASA will be livestreaming the event, allowing people to witness this celestial phenomenon. While it won't be visible to the naked eye, NASA provides a virtual asteroid tracker that shows the real-time location of asteroids.

NASA's classification of "potentially hazardous" is given to objects that come within 4.6 million miles of Earth and have a diameter larger than 492 feet. Forbes magazine reports that this asteroid's size qualifies it for this label. However, NASA emphasizes that the term does not imply an immediate threat.

This week's asteroid encounters highlight the vast number of near-Earth asteroids present in our solar system. NASA reported that in January alone, 34,151 near-Earth asteroids were detected, with 50 of them measuring wider than one kilometer. To monitor and track these objects, NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office remains vigilant.

In the past 365 days, there have been 107 near-Earth asteroids that passed closer to the moon, with seven of them occurring in the last 30 days. While most of these encounters are harmless, there have been instances where asteroids have made their presence known. Last month, a small asteroid entered Earth's atmosphere and disintegrated above eastern Germany. In June, an astronomical observatory captured images of an asteroid flying "very close" to Earth, showcasing its rapid speed of over 2,000 miles per hour.

Looking ahead, NASA is also monitoring an asteroid that could potentially collide with Earth on Valentine's Day in 2046. However, the European Space Agency estimates that the chances of impact are only 1 in 607, providing some reassurance.

As the world continues to marvel at the wonders of our universe, events like these serve as a reminder of the need for ongoing research and monitoring of near-Earth asteroids. With the efforts of organizations like NASA and the European Space Agency, we gain a deeper understanding of these celestial bodies and their potential impact on our planet.