A colossal asteroid, estimated to be up to a mile in diameter, will make a significant approach to our planet this weekend. Although its passage is safe, the magnitude of the celestial body offers an unusual occasion for astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts to observe such a large object in relative proximity to Earth.
Space monitoring: the trajectory of the asteroid (152637) 1997 NC1
Closest approach to asteroid (152637) 1997 NC1 is scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2026. At this point, it will be approximately 2.6 million kilometers from Earth. This measurement is equivalent to around 6.7 times the average distance that separates the Earth from the Moon, ensuring that there will be no risk of collision. The European Space Agency (ESA), through its Near-Earth Object Coordination Center (NEOCC), confirms that the probability of impact is zero.
What it means to be a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA)
This particular asteroid is classified as a “Potentially Hazardous Asteroid” (PHA). This designation, however, does not indicate an immediate danger of collision. Instead, it categorizes asteroids with a diameter of 140 meters or greater that have orbits that bring them within 7.5 million kilometers of Earth’s orbit. The PHA classification serves as a warning for these space rocks to be continuously monitored, allowing scientists to better understand their trajectories and assess any potential changes over time. This is an essential preventative measure for planetary defense.
Rare opportunity to observe a giant celestial body
The attention to the asteroid (152637) 1997 NC1 is justified by its impressive size. With a maximum diameter estimated at up to five times the height of the Eiffel Tower, it stands out among objects that approach Earth. Passages so close to asteroids of this size are rare, occurring, on average, only once every ten years. This event provides a valuable window for studies and observations, allowing researchers and the general public a closer look at a significant object in our solar system. Its last close pass was on June 29, 1993, and the next one should only happen on June 27, 2088.
How to observe the asteroid (152637) 1997 NC1
For those interested in following the asteroid’s passage, there are some observation options:
- Live Stream Online:The Virtual Telescope Project (www.virtualtelescope.eu) will hold online observing sessions starting at 8am (Japan Standard Time) on Saturday, June 27th and Sunday, June 28th. The broadcasts will include real-time video footage and commentary from astrophysicist Gianluca Masi.
- With amateur telescopes or binoculars:According to the ESA, the asteroid’s brightness should reach magnitude 10.1 at its peak, which would theoretically make it visible with small telescopes (with an aperture of about 100 mm) or high-resolution binoculars, especially under dark skies. However, the brightness of the Full Strawberry Moon, scheduled for June 30, may make direct observation difficult. The asteroid will remain brighter than magnitude 11.5 from Thursday, June 25, to Wednesday, July 1, moving from the constellation of Lira to Norma.
- Apparent movement:During its closest approach, the asteroid will cross the space between the stars at a speed of approximately 40 arc seconds per minute, which will make it easier to perceive its movement through a telescope.
Orbital characteristics and classification of the asteroid Aten
Asteroid (152637) 1997 NC1 belongs to the Aten group of asteroids, a class of near-Earth objects. Aten asteroids are characterized by having an orbit that crosses Earth’s orbit, but most of their orbital path is within Earth’s orbit. It was discovered in 1997 through observations from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) program, reinforcing the importance of continuous monitoring of these celestial bodies for understanding the dynamics of our solar system.