Updated · The Virtual Telescope Project 2.0 · May 13
Asteroid 2026 JH2 to Pass Earth at 91,000 km on May 18 as Telescope Streams Flyby
Updated
Updated · The Virtual Telescope Project 2.0 · May 13
Asteroid 2026 JH2 to Pass Earth at 91,000 km on May 18 as Telescope Streams Flyby
3 articles · Updated · The Virtual Telescope Project 2.0 · May 13
2026 JH2 will make a safe but unusually close Earth flyby at about 21:23 UTC on May 18, passing just 91,000 km away—about 24% of the average lunar distance.
The asteroid, discovered on May 10 and announced two days later, is estimated at 16 to 35 meters wide and is expected to brighten to magnitude 11.5 near closest approach.
The Virtual Telescope Project plans a live online broadcast starting at 21:45 UTC, with organizers saying the object should be visible even through a small telescope.
The encounter adds to a run of closely watched near-Earth asteroid passes, though this one remains firmly in the safe category despite its proximity.
As new telescopes find thousands of asteroids, is our planet actually safer or just more aware of the danger?
What planetary defense secrets will the 2029 Apophis flyby reveal about stopping a future catastrophic impact?