A small asteroid will pass very close to Earth – but without any risk of impact

2026 JH2, which is tens of meters in diameter, is expected to pass within only about 91 kilometers of Earth on May 18. The close pass will allow for telescopic observations and live broadcasts, but does not pose a threat.

A small asteroid called 2026 JH2 is expected to pass very close to Earth on May 18, 2026, but according to known data it does not pose a risk of impact. According to the Virtual Telescope project, the asteroid will reach a minimum distance of about 91 thousand kilometers from Earth, which is about 24% of the average distance to the Moon. The closest pass will occur around 21:57 UTC, that is, shortly after midnight, on May 19, Israel time. (The Virtual Telescope Project 2.0)

The asteroid was discovered on May 10, 2026, by the Mt. Lemmon Survey, and was officially announced two days later. With an estimated diameter of 15 to 34 meters, it is a relatively small object, but its proximity to Earth makes it of particular interest to astronomers and sky enthusiasts. WIRED reported that the pass will be about four times closer than the distance to the Moon, making it one of the closest near-Earth object passes in the coming months.

Close passage, not a dangerous event

Despite the small distance in astronomical terms, this does not pose a threat to Earth. The asteroid is expected to pass safely, and the scientific emphasis is on monitoring, trajectory calculation and observation, rather than on the risk of impact. Near-Earth objects, known as NEOs, are monitored regularly because a small fraction of them may present a low probability of impact in the future, but 2026 JH2 does not fall into this category according to existing reports.

The close pass also demonstrates the importance of early detection systems. Asteroids tens of meters in size can be difficult to detect long in advance, especially when they are small, dark, and moving quickly against the sky. Therefore, even when a particular object is not dangerous, the mere fact of its detection and tracking its trajectory contributes to improving planetary warning capabilities.

Apollo-type asteroid

2026 JH2 is classified as an Apollo-type near-Earth asteroid. These objects travel in orbits that bring them close to or intersect Earth's orbit around the Sun. By conventional definition, an Apollo-type asteroid is one that is farther from the Sun than Earth, but whose closest approach to the Sun is within the region of the closest Earth orbit.

This category does not necessarily indicate an immediate danger. It mainly describes the characteristics of the orbit. There are tens of thousands of known near-Earth objects, and most of them are not dangerous. However, each close pass provides an opportunity to improve our understanding of the orbits, sizes, and physical properties of small bodies in the solar system.

It will be possible to watch it live.

The transit of 2026 JH2 is expected to be a target for telescopic observations. According to Virtual Telescope, its brightness is expected to reach around magnitude 11.5 at the time of approach, a brightness that is not visible to the naked eye but accessible to small telescopes under suitable conditions. The project plans to broadcast live online ahead of the upcoming transit. (The Virtual Telescope Project 2.0)

For the general public, the importance of the event is not that it is a celestial drama, but rather that it illustrates how modern astronomy works in real time: discovering a small object, calculating its orbit, updating its proximity to Earth, and making the observation accessible to viewers around the world.

Short FAQ

When will asteroid 2026 JH2 pass near Earth?
The next transit is expected on May 18, 2026 around 21:57 UTC, which is shortly after midnight on May 19, Israel time.

How close will it pass?
The minimum expected distance is about 91 kilometers from Earth, about 24% of the average distance to the Moon.

Is the asteroid dangerous?
No. According to known data, this is a close but safe passage, with no risk of impacting the Earth.

Will it be possible to see him?
Not with the naked eye. It may be possible to view it with small telescopes, and Virtual Telescope is planning a live online broadcast.