An asteroid discovered days ago will narrowly miss Earth – RNZ News
6 hours ago
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- Asteroid 2026JH2, about the size of one to two school buses, will pass close to Earth at 91,593 km (one-quarter the Earth-Moon distance) on Tuesday near 10 am NZT, but poses no danger.
- The asteroid, discovered on May 10, belongs to the Apollo class and originates from the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter; such close passes occur multiple times yearly.
- Its exact size (estimated 15–30 meters in diameter) is unknown due to reliance on luminosity; it could be similar to objects like the Chelyabinsk or Tunguska events, but it won't enter Earth's atmosphere.
- Future trajectory predictions are uncertain, but no known asteroids pose a risk within the next century; larger asteroid Apophis will pass closer in 2029 and be visible naked eye.
- Planetary radar capabilities are degraded (Arecibo collapse, Goldstone repairs), reducing impact risk assessment; only 1% of similar-sized near-Earth asteroids are observed, but surveys are improving detection.