Asteroid 1997 NC1 to Pass Earth Within 1.6 Million Miles as Next Close Return Waits Until 2133
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 26
Asteroid 1997 NC1 to Pass Earth Within 1.6 Million Miles as Next Close Return Waits Until 2133
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 26
Summary
1997 NC1 will make its closest approach Saturday morning, passing Earth at about 1.6 million miles, or 2.6 million kilometers, with no collision risk, the European Space Agency said.
The asteroid is estimated at 2,461 to 5,413 feet wide—about two to four Empire State Buildings—making it a large but harmless flyby that some skywatchers may spot with binoculars or small telescopes.
NASA said it will not come this close to Earth again until 2133, making this weekend’s pass an unusually rare viewing and observation opportunity.
A similarly sized asteroid last passed even closer in 2022, and agencies including NASA and ESA continue tracking near-Earth objects to guard against any future impact threat.