Bus-Sized Asteroid Will Fly Past Earth Tonight, Mere Days After Being Discovered A newly discovered asteroid, designated 2026 EG1, is set to pass within 1 lunar distance of Earth on March 12, zipping silently beneath Antarctica. The asteroid, which measures between 32 and 72 feet in width, will make its closest approach to Earth at 11:27 p.m. EDT (0327 GMT on March 13), traveling at a speed of 21,513 miles per hour (34,621 kilometers per hour). At its closest point, the asteroid will be approximately 197,466 miles (317,791 kilometers) from Earth’s southern hemisphere. The asteroid’s trajectory will take it past the moon during its flyby, though it poses no threat to Earth or its natural satellite. Initial observations indicate that 2026 EG1 follows a 655-day elliptical orbit around the sun, ranging from within Earth’s orbit to beyond the path of Mars. Its next closest planetary approach to Mars is predicted for September 13, 2186, when it will pass about 7.5 million miles (12.1 million kilometers) from the Red Planet. NASA and its partners track over 41,000 near-Earth asteroids, a number expected to grow significantly with the Vera Rubin Observatory’s ongoing efforts. Despite the vast number of asteroids, NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies has stated that no major asteroid impacts capable of causing serious damage to Earth are expected in the next 100 years. However, the agency continues to develop strategies for potential asteroid threats, including mock scenarios to refine global response protocols and asteroid redirect missions. The discovery of 2026 EG1 highlights the importance of ongoing asteroid monitoring. The asteroid was first detected on March 8, less than a week before its closest approach, underscoring the need for continuous observation.#nasa #asteroid_2026_eg1 #vera_rubin_observatory #antarctica #mars
