Asteroid 2026JH2 to Pass Earth at 90,917 Kilometres on 18 May

An asteroid designated 2026JH2 will pass Earth at a minimum distance of 90,917 kilometres on 18 May. The object was first observed this week by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Arizona and the Farpoint Observatory in Kansas. Astronomers estimate the asteroid measures between 16 and 36 metres across. Mark Norris at the University of Lancashire stated that an impact would be capable of damaging a city.

The asteroid will reach its closest approach at 9:38pm UTC on 18 May. 17 kilometres per second relative to Earth, making it difficult to observe for extended periods. Norris noted that the asteroid will be visible only briefly from the northern hemisphere. Observers in the southern hemisphere will also face challenges due to its rapid motion across the sky.

Data from the Sormano Astronomical Observatory provided the size estimate. Richard Moissl of the European Space Agency's Planetary Defence Office compared the potential impact energy to the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor event. Mark Burchell at the University of Kent explained that smaller asteroids like 2026JH2 reflect limited light, which contributes to the difficulty in detection.

Astronomers continue to expand tracking of objects in this size range as observation capabilities improve.