An asteroid named 2026JH2, comparable in size to one or two school buses, is set to pass Earth on Monday. At its closest approach, it will come within 91,593 kilometers (56,913 miles) of our planet. This distance is about 24% of the average distance from Earth to the Moon, according to the European Space Agency (ESA).
Asteroid Discovery and Classification
Discovered on May 10 by astronomers at the Mount Lemmon Survey in Tucson, Arizona, 2026JH2 belongs to the Apollo class of asteroids. These asteroids follow orbits that intersect with Earth’s path around the Sun, making close passes a regular occurrence.
Close Encounter Timing
The asteroid will make its closest pass around 6 p.m. ET on Monday, according to NASA’s JPL Small-Body Database. Despite the proximity, experts assure that 2026JH2 poses no threat to Earth.
Expert Insights on Safety
Richard Binzel, a planetary sciences professor at MIT, emphasized that such flybys are common. He noted that many small objects pass between Earth and the Moon weekly. Binzel also explained that before recent advancements in monitoring, many small asteroids went unnoticed.
Origin and Composition
2026JH2 originated from the asteroid belt, located between Mars and Jupiter. Its trajectory can be influenced by gravitational forces, especially those from Jupiter.
Estimating Size and Impact Risk
The estimated size of 2026JH2 ranges from 15 to 30 meters (49 to 98 feet) in diameter. These estimates are based on how much light the asteroid reflects, as direct measurement remains challenging without infrared observations.
While its size may be comparable to past meteors that caused significant damage, such as the 2013 Chelyabinsk event, 2026JH2 will not enter Earth’s atmosphere, negating any explosion risk. Furthermore, the asteroid’s close approach is deemed distant enough to cause no concern.
Future Trajectories and Monitoring Challenges
Predicting the future trajectory of 2026JH2 remains complex. Although there’s no immediate risk, astronomers cannot completely rule out the possibility of future collisions. Models predict no asteroid currently known poses a threat in the next century.
Upcoming Close Encounters
In a significantly closer approach, a larger asteroid known as Apophis is set to pass Earth at 32,000 kilometers (19,883 miles) on April 13, 2029. This event will attract attention as it can be seen with the naked eye across parts of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
The Importance of Ongoing Monitoring
Only 1% of near-Earth asteroids similar in size to 2026JH2 have been observed so far, pointing to a significant knowledge gap in tracking these objects. Current limitations in planetary radar capabilities, especially following the Arecibo telescope collapse, hinder assessment of impact risks.
Despite these challenges, space agencies are investing in detection and monitoring programs to enhance our understanding of potentially hazardous asteroids.
Live Monitoring of the Close Pass
- A partial livestream of 2026JH2’s approach will be available via the Virtual Telescope Project.
- This event will commence at 3:45 p.m. ET, continuing until the asteroid is no longer visible.
