A recently discovered asteroid, roughly the size of a bus, will make an exceptionally close pass by Earth tonight, March 12th, at approximately 11:27 PM EDT (0327 GMT on March 13th). The asteroid, designated 2026 EG1, will come within 197,466 miles (317,791 kilometers) of our planet – closer than the moon – as it sweeps over the southern hemisphere.
Discovery and Trajectory
The asteroid was first observed just days ago, on March 8th, and its trajectory indicates it follows a 655-day elliptical orbit around the sun. This orbit takes it from within Earth’s orbital path to beyond that of Mars, making it a relatively frequent visitor to our cosmic neighborhood. At its closest approach, 2026 EG1 will be traveling at an estimated 21,513 miles per hour (34,621 kilometers per hour).
No Threat to Earth
Despite this proximity, NASA confirms that 2026 EG1 poses no threat to Earth or its moon. It will pass silently beneath Antarctica, continuing its journey through the solar system. The asteroid’s next significant planetary approach won’t occur until 2186, when it will pass within 7.5 million miles (12.1 million km) of Mars.
Increasing Detection Capabilities
This flyby highlights the ongoing efforts to track near-Earth objects (NEOs). NASA currently monitors over 41,000 NEOs, and this number is expected to grow significantly with the launch of new observational tools, such as the Vera Rubin Observatory. The observatory has already identified over 2,000 previously unknown celestial bodies using initial data. Despite the large number of tracked asteroids, NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies has determined there are no credible threats of major asteroid impacts within the next century.
The increasing detection rate of near-Earth asteroids demonstrates the advancements in space monitoring technology, while providing reassurance that catastrophic impacts remain statistically improbable in the foreseeable future.
