Watch an asteroid the size of a blue whale hurtle towards Earth live online May 18

space.com May 17, 2026

Watch an asteroid the size of a blue whale hurtle towards Earth live online May 18

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · May 17, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

A newly discovered asteroid, 2026 JH2, will fly past Earth on May 18 at 24% of the average Earth-moon distance. The asteroid, measuring between 52 and 114 feet, was discovered on May 10 by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Arizona. It will make its closest approach to Earth at 5:23 p.m. on May 18, traveling at 19,417 mph. The Virtual Telescope Project will livestream the event, allowing viewers to watch the asteroid pass by in real time. The asteroid poses no threat to Earth or the moon. The event can be watched online, with the livestream beginning at 3:45 p.m. EDT on May 18.

💡 Why It Matters

· The asteroid's close approach provides a rare opportunity for scientists to study its composition and trajectory.
· Its passage near Earth also tests astronomers' ability to track and predict the paths of near-Earth objects.

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