Asteroid Set to Fly Past Earth Soon

An asteroid the size of one or two school buses will pass close to Earth on Monday. It will come within 91,593 kilometres (56,913 miles), which is about one-quarter of the distance to the moon. This event is significant because it gives scientists a chance to study asteroids that come near our planet.

Astronomers in Tucson, Arizona found this asteroid on May 10 and named it 2026JH2. It belongs to a group called Apollo asteroids, which can cross Earth’s orbit around the Sun. At its closest point, this asteroid will be about 24% of the average distance to the moon.

Experts say 2026JH2 is not a threat. Richard Binzel, a professor at MIT, mentioned that such close passes happen often. He said that objects similar in size pass by our planet several times each year without causing harm.

The asteroid comes from the asteroid belt, located between Mars and Jupiter. A few small asteroids often travel close to Earth due to collisions in the asteroid belt. However, 2026JH2 will not enter our atmosphere and is not expected to pose any risk.

Astronomers currently do not know its exact size, which they estimate to be between 15 and 30 meters (49 to 98 feet). It will not be visible to the human eye but can be seen with small telescopes.

How much do you know?

What is the size of the asteroid 2026JH2 compared to?

One or two school buses

One or two cars

One or two houses

One or two office buildings

How far will the asteroid 2026JH2 pass from Earth?

91,593 kilometres

100,000 kilometres

50,000 kilometres

75,000 kilometres

What type of asteroid is 2026JH2 classified as?

Apollo asteroids

Amor asteroids

Atira asteroids

Belt asteroids

Who mentioned that close passes of asteroids happen often?

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Richard Binzel

Carl Sagan

Stephen Hawking

What is the estimated size range of the asteroid 2026JH2?

10 to 20 meters

15 to 30 meters

5 to 15 meters

20 to 40 meters

What is the asteroid 2026JH2 expected to do when it approaches Earth?

Enter the atmosphere

Cause harm

Pass close by

Be visible to the naked eye

The asteroid 2026JH2 will come within 100,000 kilometres of Earth.

True False

Astronomers in Tucson, Arizona discovered the asteroid on May 10.

True False

2026JH2 poses a threat to Earth's safety.

True False

The asteroid belt is located between Earth and Venus.

True False

Objects similar in size to 2026JH2 pass by Earth several times each year.

True False

2026JH2 is expected to be visible to the human eye.

True False

The asteroid 2026JH2 will come within kilometres of Earth.

The asteroid 2026JH2 is classified as an asteroid.

Experts believe that 2026JH2 will not pose any to Earth.

The asteroid is estimated to be between and 30 meters in size.

The asteroid belt is located between Mars and .

Astronomers currently do not know the exact of 2026JH2.

This question is required