A giant asteroid discovered just a few days ago has now passed close to Earth

A new asteroid discovered by astronomers will pass unusually close to Earth on Monday, 18 May. It will be at a distance around 91,000 km from our planet. Scientists say there is no risk of an impact. However, the object will still be close enough to draw attention as it will only pass at a distance of around 91,000 kilometres from the planet.

The asteroid is named 2026 JH2The first time astronomers in Arizona working for the Mount Lemmon Survey spotted it was on 10th May. Observatories and space agencies are tracking the object closely since then as it moves towards Earth’s nearest point.

The numbers do sound dramatic. Whenever an asteroid is described as ‘passing close to Earth’, people naturally imagine disaster films, emergency warnings and giant rocks falling from the sky. Astronomers claim that this flyby is less dangerous than fascinating.

Scientists were surprised by the discovery date of the object, more so than its approach.

Researchers are open to admitting that countless space stones still move through Earth’s cosmic neighborhood, but they remain undetected until their brightness is high enough for telescopes.

Scientists say that this object passes by Earth more than most people think

Most people find it terrifying to hear that a spacerock the size of two or more school buses is headed towards Earth.

Astronomers have a different perspective.

Richard Binzel, a planetary scientists at MIT, says that this size of object passes through Earth’s area several times a day. Other smaller objects are also seen between Earth’s surface and the Moon, but they do not attract public attention.

Today, technology is the difference. Modern sky surveys can now detect faint moving objects, which previous generations of astronomers could not even notice.

Other words, asteroids don’t suddenly start appearing more frequently. The detection of asteroids is improving.

It is important to note that the word “you” means “you”. asteroid The object belongs to the Apollo asteroids family, which includes objects whose orbits cross Earth’s path. Scientists estimate the size of 2026 JH2 to be between 15-30 metres, but no one knows for sure.

The way telescopes are designed creates this uncertainty. When astronomers observe a newly found asteroid for the first time, they measure primarily how much light it reflects. The brightness of a larger, darker object may be similar to that of a smaller, reflective one. This makes it difficult to determine its exact size.

Researchers claim that infrared measurements would be more accurate, but they are hard to get quickly with Earth-based telescopes.

Scientists claim that the asteroid is not dangerous, but it is close enough for alarm to be raised.

At its closest point in 2026, JH2 will be roughly two-and-ahalf times farther than the altitude of many geostationary orbiting satellites.

It is very close.

Experts insist that the asteroid is safe and will not enter Earth’s atmosphere.

Patrick Michel, astrophysicist at France’s National Centre for Scientific Research, described the flyby as ‘far enough that there is absolutely nothing to worry about’.

Scientists also compared its possible size with other notable events. On the lower end of the current estimates, the asteroid could resemble the Chelyabinsk explosion that occurred above Russia in 2013. More than 1,000 people were injured after the shockwave broke windows in the city.

The researchers believe that the event is comparable to the Tunguska disaster in Siberia of 1908 which flattened large sections of forest.

Astronomers have repeatedly emphasized one point. Unlike these objects, 2026 JH2 does not have a collision path with Earth.

Not even remotely.

Astronomers admit that we still don’t know much about asteroids.

This story has attracted so much attention because it shows how little we know about near-Earth objects.

Jean Luc Margot explains that astronomers have only detected around 1 percent of asteroids in this size range.

There are probably many other objects that look similar to 2026 JH2 but haven’t been detected yet.

A limited infrastructure of observation is a part of the problem. The Arecibo Observatory, one of the planet’s most significant radar systems, collapsed in 2020. NASA’s Goldstone Radar Facility is currently under major repairs. Astronomers have fewer tools available to study asteroids.

Scientists also report positive news.

Space agencies Around the world, more money is being invested in programmes to detect asteroids and improve the monitoring of potentially dangerous objects. Researchers are already preparing for a more spectacular event.

Apophis is expected to pass Earth much closer in April 2029 than it did in 2026 JH2. It will pass close enough for it to be seen by the naked-eye in many parts of Europe and Africa. Astronomers, however, are also not scared of the flyby.

Many of them are actually excited about it.

These close encounters give scientists the rare opportunity to study objects which would otherwise be extremely distant and difficult for them to observe.

Scientists say the asteroid that hit Monday will pass harmlessly through our solar system before continuing its travel.

Close enough to make it sound frightening. Close enough to sound frightening, but not so close as to threaten Earth.