No Impact Risk: Asteroid 2026 JH2 will pass safely at about 91,000 km from Earth on May 18, 2026—less than a quarter of the Moon's distance.
Asteroid 2026 JH2: Safe Flyby to Offer Skywatchers a Rare View
A newly discovered near-Earth asteroid, designated 2026 JH2, is set to make a close but safe approach to our planet on the evening of May 18, 2026. Passing at a distance of approximately 91,000 kilometers (56,000 miles), the space rock will come within less than a quarter of the average Earth-Moon distance. Multiple astronomical sources confirm there is no risk of impact with Earth or the Moon. The event will be observable with small telescopes, and a free livestream will be hosted by the Virtual Telescope Project.
Discovery and Classification
- The asteroid was discovered on May 10, 2026, by astronomers at the Mount Lemmon Survey in Arizona, USA.
- It is classified as an Apollo-class near-Earth object, meaning its orbit crosses Earth’s path around the Sun.
Physical Characteristics
- Size estimates vary from 15 meters (50 feet) to 35 meters (115 feet) in diameter. Descriptions compare it to the size of a professional basketball court or a blue whale.
- Size remains uncertain, as estimates are based solely on optical observations of the asteroid’s apparent brightness. Without infrared data, a precise measurement is not possible.
Closest Approach Details
- Date and Time: Closest approach is expected at 21:23 UTC (5:23 p.m. EDT) on May 18, 2026.
- Distance: Approximately 90,000 km (56,000 miles) from Earth, which is about 24% of the average Earth-Moon distance (385,000 km).
- Speed: Traveling at an estimated 31,248 km/h (19,417 mph) .
- Altitude: The asteroid will remain safely beyond the orbital altitude of geosynchronous satellites.
Risk Assessment
Experts confirm zero risk of impact. Astronomers from MIT, CNRS, and UCLA, along with the European Space Agency and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, have calculated that the trajectory poses no threat to Earth. Astronomers note that objects of this size pass between Earth and the Moon regularly, and that the asteroid is "far enough that there is absolutely nothing to worry about."
Observability and Livestream
- Brightness: The asteroid will reach an expected magnitude of +11.5, making it visible only with small amateur telescopes at dark-sky sites. It will be approximately 100 times too faint to be seen with the naked eye.
- Location: Visible in the southern sky after sunset, near the constellations of Ursa Major and Leo. Northern Hemisphere viewers may find its low position in the sky challenging.
- Livestream: The Virtual Telescope Project, based in Manciano, Italy, will host a free livestream starting at 19:45 UTC (3:45 p.m. EDT) on May 18.
Scientific Context and Limitations
- Late detection of 2026 JH2 has been attributed to reduced radar capabilities. The Arecibo telescope collapsed in 2020, and NASA's Goldstone antenna is undergoing repairs.
- Without radar data, assessing impact risk is more difficult, though astronomers have tracked the asteroid 24 times over several days to refine its trajectory.
- According to UCLA astronomer Jean-Luc Margot, only about 1% of near-Earth asteroids in this size range have been observed.
- Astronomers are calling for observations and photographs from the public, which can be submitted to contactus@skyatnightmagazine.com.
Future Events
A larger asteroid, Apophis (at least 10 times the size of 2026 JH2), is scheduled to pass within approximately 32,000 km of Earth on April 13, 2029, and will be visible to the naked eye.