Asteroid 2002 JX8 Set for Safe Flyby!

Mark your calendars for May 9, 2025! On this day, the potentially hazardous asteroid known as 2002 JX8 will make a stunning close approach to Earth, coming within a mere 4.2 million kilometers—over 10 times the distance from Earth to the Moon. But don’t worry, this celestial rock poses no threat to our planet.

A Stunning Snapshot!

Feast your eyes on the breathtaking image captured by the Virtual Telescope Project. It showcases asteroid 2002 JX8 during a 300-second exposure with the powerful Celestron C14 telescope. The asteroid appears as a crisp point of light, while stars leave behind trailing streaks, highlighting the asteroid’s swift movement across the night sky.

What You Need to Know!

This impressive space rock measures between 230 and 510 meters in size. On the day of its closest approach, the asteroid will be zooming past Earth at approximately 11 million kilometers and will reach its minimum distance at precisely 11:02 UTC. Thankfully, NASA has confirmed that there are absolutely no risks associated with this encounter.

Stay Tuned!

While we keep an eye on 2002 JX8, the Virtual Telescope Project continues to offer stunning views of our universe. Make sure you're ready to catch the spectacle when it arrives in 2025!