Huge asteroid will skim terrifyingly close to Earth tomorrow – ‘as close as you can get’ | Science | News
A newly discovered asteroid will pass within about 90,000 km (56,000 miles) of Earth tomorrow, in what astronomers are describing as one of the closest safe flybys on record.
The object, designated 2026 JH2, will make its closest approach on Monday, May 18, 2026, at approximately 21:23–21:57 UTC. This is slightly less than a quarter of the average distance to the Moon and closer than many satellites in Earth orbit.
“Astrophysicist Mark Norris of the University of Lancashire told New Scientist: “Astronomically speaking, it’s the closest you can get without impacting. It’s the sort of thing that could pretty efficiently devastate a city if it hit.”
The asteroid, an Apollo-type near-Earth object, was discovered by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Arizona on May 10, 2026, and was quickly confirmed by other observatories.
This object, with an absolute magnitude of approximately 26.1, is estimated to be between 15 and 35 meters (50–115 feet) in diameter; this size is comparable to the object responsible for the Chelyabinsk air explosion over Russia in 2013.
Current orbital data from dozens of observations indicate that there is no risk of a collision either now or in the foreseeable future. The minimum orbital intersection distance is low, but precise calculations confirm that it is safely missed. The asteroid follows a highly elliptical 3.8-year orbit that takes it from just beyond Earth’s path into the distance of Jupiter.
Despite the dramatic proximity, 2026 JH2 poses no danger. At its peak brightness during the flyby is expected to reach approximately magnitude 11.5; It can be seen with modest amateur telescopes, especially under dark skies in the northern hemisphere, but it is too faint to be observed with the naked eye. It will appear in the constellation Ursa Major. The Virtual Telescope Project in Italy plans to livestream the event.
The flight provides a valuable opportunity for planetary defense research. Close encounters like this allow astronomers to refine orbital parameters and improve understanding of small near-Earth objects.
However, its detection just days before closest approach underlined the ongoing difficulties in detecting smaller “city-killer” asteroids in advance.
Mr. Norris’ assessment underscores the destructive potential of such objects. An impact from an object in this size range could produce an airburst or ground explosion that could devastate an urban area, causing shock waves, thermal effects, and widespread damage similar to or exceeding the Chelyabinsk incident that injured more than 1,500 people.
Astronomers continue to monitor the asteroid closely. For the latest tracking information, the public can consult NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Small Object Database or the Small Planet Center.
