- A newly-discovered asteroid, 2026 JH2, will make an unusually close pass of Earth on Monday evening, May 18, at 10pm BST (5pm EDT).
- Discovered last week by astronomers in Arizona, the asteroid will come within 91,000 kilometers (57,000 miles) of Earth, which is less than a quarter of the distance to the Moon and closer than some satellites.
- Measuring up to 35 meters (115 feet) across, the asteroid is larger than a blue whale and comparable in size to the Chelyabinsk meteor that exploded over Russia in 2013.
- Astronomers confirm that Asteroid 2026 JH2 poses no risk to Earth or the Moon, but its proximity will allow for observation with telescopes and binoculars.
- The Virtual Telescope Project will broadcast a live stream of the flyby starting at 8:45pm BST on Monday, and the asteroid is not expected to pass by Earth again until 2060.
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