A car-sized asteroid named 2026 FM3 will zoom past Earth tonight, March 24, at around 10:07 p.m. EDT. This will happen just three days after astronomers spotted it at the Zwicky Transient Facility in California. The rock will come within 147,836 miles (237,918 kilometers) of us, which is just about 61.9% of the distance to the moon. It will be traveling at a speed of 11,461 miles per hour (18,444 kilometers per hour), according to NASA.
2026 FM3 is estimated to measure between 4 to 8 meters (13 to 26 feet) across. A little later, it will pass the moon at a distance of 370,022 miles (595,492 kilometers). Thankfully, there’s no risk to Earth or the moon from this flyby.
What’s interesting about 2026 FM3 is its orbit. It travels in a near circular path around the sun and crosses Earth’s orbit twice every 354 days. The closest it has come to us was in September 1965, when it missed Earth by just 30,559 miles (49,181 kilometers)—a narrow escape in space terms! Current analyses indicate that it won’t have any close encounters with Earth over the next 100 years and is too small to be classified as a hazardous asteroid by NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies.
Earth’s atmosphere acts like a shield against smaller asteroids, which can create spectacular streaks in the sky known as meteors or “shooting stars.” Larger asteroids, if they come too close, can lead to bigger displays, such as the recent fireballs seen in Ohio and Texas. Such events remind us of the dynamic nature of our solar system.
Interestingly, 2026 FM3 is just one of over 41,000 near-Earth asteroids identified so far. This number is likely to grow as advanced observatories like the Vera Rubin Observatory begin operations. Its initial findings alone pinpointed 2,000 previously unknown asteroids.
In the realm of space exploration, expert opinions are crucial. Dr. Amy Mainzer, an astrophysicist and leading researcher in Near Earth Object studies, emphasizes that while many small asteroids pass by Earth, tracking them is essential for understanding any future impacts. She notes, “These close encounters often serve as a reminder that we live in a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable cosmic neighborhood.”
As technology improves, more asteroids will be spotted, increasing our knowledge about these fascinating celestial bodies. So while 2026 FM3 presents no threat, it highlights the importance of continued observation and research in our ever-changing universe.
