8legs: Mount lemmon survey

#1 out of 1

Near-Earth Asteroid 2026 JH2 extremely close encounter: online observation – 18 May 2026 - The Virtual Telescope Project 2.0

2026 JH2 will make a very close, but safe, flyby of Earth on May 18, approaching within 90,000 km and staying well clear of any collision risk.
Astronomers classify 2026 JH2 as an Apollo-class near-Earth object, meaning its orbit crosses Earth’s path as it journeys from near-Earth space toward the outer solar system.
Based on its brightness, 2026 JH2 is estimated to be about 15–35 meters across, roughly the size of the Chelyabinsk object, though exact dimensions depend on surface reflectivity.
The asteroid is predicted to brighten dramatically, potentially from magnitude 21.3 on May 12 to around magnitude 12.8 by May 19, making it visible with modest amateur telescopes under dark skies.
The Virtual Telescope Project will livestream the flyby from Italy, starting around 3:45 p.m. EDT on May 18, enabling global audiences to watch the event online hours before closest approach.
An online viewing option via the project's webTV page provides a global chance to follow the flyby as it unfolds.
Public-facing coverage emphasizes a rare, dramatic, but safe close approach, prioritizing observation and engagement over danger.
Discovery details show 2026 JH2 was added to the Minor Planet Center database after being found by the Mount Lemmon Survey and Farpoint Observatory, reflecting collaborative near-Earth monitoring.
For context, the Forbes reference notes the 2026 JH2 flyby is within a familiar framework of dramatic but non-threatening near-Earth encounters that attract public interest.

Vote 2