Huge asteroid with potential to obliterate CITY will just miss Earth

"Astronomers say the space rock, called 2026 JH2, is up to four times the size of a London bus and will get 'as close as you can without hitting'. It is expected to zoom by our planet at an estimated distance of around 56,000 miles (90,000km) late on Monday night. This is exceptionally close - the equivalent of just a quarter of the distance between us and the moon."

"Despite having enough mass to wipe out a city it was only identified by observatories a few days ago, raising concerns about the early detection of potentially hazardous asteroids. Thankfully, simulations suggest there is no chance of an impact for at least the next 100 years. Estimates place the size of the space rock between 52 and 115ft (16 and 35 metres) in diameter, and as it passes by it will be travelling at 5.17 miles per second relative to Earth."

"The size of the asteroid is an estimate based on the amount of light reflecting off its surface, which means that measurements cannot be entirely certain. If the asteroid is made of a particularly dark or unreflective material, then it could be nearer to the higher end of the estimate range or potentially even larger. However, even at the lower end of its estimated range, the asteroid still carries a huge destructive potential."

"Experts say if 2026 JH2 did strike Earth, it would cause an event comparable to the Chelyabinsk meteor. In 2013, an 18-metre (59ft) meteor exploded over the city of Chelyabinsk in Russia, near the border with Kazakhstan. The resulting explosion was 30 times more powerful than the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima, producing a shockwave that travelled twice around the world."

Asteroid 2026 JH2 will make a very close flyby of Earth late Monday night, traveling at about 5.17 miles per second relative to Earth. Its estimated distance from Earth is around 56,000 miles (90,000 km), roughly a quarter of the distance between Earth and the Moon. The asteroid’s size is estimated between 52 and 115 ft (16 and 35 m) based on reflected light, so the measurements are uncertain. If it were made of darker material, it could be larger. Simulations indicate no impact for at least the next 100 years, but its mass could cause city-level destruction if it struck. Experts compare the potential effects to the 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor, which produced a powerful shockwave and widespread damage.

Read at Mail Online