A newly discovered asteroid, the size of an adult blue whale, is set to pass close to Earth today (May 18), at a distance equal to 24% of the average Earth-Moon distance. You can watch the spectacular phenomenon live from your home via the Virtual Telescope Project.
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Near-Earth asteroid 2026 JH2 was discovered on May 10 by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Arizona. According to ESA, subsequent observations estimate its size to be between 16 and 35 meters, based on its brightness.
2026 JH2 will make its closest approach to Earth at 5:23 p.m. (21:23 GMT) on May 18, passing within about 56,000 miles (91,135 kilometers) and traveling at 19,000 mph (31,248 km/h) relative to Earth.
How to watch the transit live online
The Virtual Telescope Project's free live stream on YouTube will begin at 3:45 PM EDT (19:45 GMT) on May 18, weather permitting.
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" At the time of observation, the object will be moving quite rapidly relative to the stars. However, our advanced telescopes will accurately track 2026 JH2 as it approaches its closest approach to Earth and reaches its maximum brightness, at about magnitude 11.5, before disappearing below the horizon, " Virtual Telescope Project founder Gianluca Masi told Space.com in an email .
2026 JH2 poses no threat to either the Moon or Earth during its close pass. However, it is expected to be bright enough to be detected by the agency's telescopes at Manciano.
"We will see it as a bright, clear dot moving against the starry background, while the stars will leave long bright lines as we follow the asteroid's path," Masi explained.
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After passing by Earth, 2026 JH2 will begin a 3.8-year orbit, coming close to Jupiter's orbit before returning toward the Sun in an elliptical path, according to the European Space Agency. Its next close approach to Earth is not expected until 2060, when it will pass at a distance 17 times greater than that between the Earth and the Moon.
