A new asteroid, about the size of a blue whale, is set to zoom past Earth on May 18. It’s called 2026 JH2 and will be only 56,628 miles away—just 24% of the distance to the moon. Exciting, right? You can even watch it live from your home through the Virtual Telescope Project’s YouTube livestream.
This asteroid was first spotted on May 10 by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Arizona. Experts estimate it’s between 52 and 114 feet long. According to the European Space Agency, it will pass by Earth at a speed of 19,417 mph while shining at a brightness of magnitude 11.5.
At 5:23 PM EDT (2123 GMT) on May 18, it will make its closest approach. This moment is safe; 2026 JH2 poses no threat to Earth or the moon. Gianluca Masi, founder of the Virtual Telescope Project, emphasized that they will track the asteroid as it zooms across the sky, appearing as a bright dot against the stars.
After this flyby, 2026 JH2 will begin a 3.8-year journey that will take it near Jupiter before returning to the sun. It won’t come close to Earth again until 2060 when it will pass by at a distance of 17 times that of the Earth-moon gap. This highlights the dynamic nature of our solar system—a reminder of how active and ever-changing it is.
Asteroids like 2026 JH2 offer exciting opportunities for science and education. They remind us of our planetary neighbors and the importance of monitoring these celestial bodies. With advancements in technology, we can observe these events like never before, sparking curiosity and interest in space science.
So, mark your calendars and tune in! This is a great chance to witness an astronomical event that connects us to the universe.
