Mark Your Calendars: May 9 is a Day of Cosmic Wonder!

Get ready for an astronomical spectacle! On May 9, a colossal asteroid, measuring 950 feet (290 meters) in diameter, will zoom past our planet. You won’t just have to read about it; thanks to The Virtual Telescope Project, you can witness this celestial event live!

What You Need to Know About Asteroid 2002 JX8

Officially designated 612356 2002 JX8, this asteroid will sail by at a safe distance of 4.2 million kilometers (2.6 million miles)—that's 10.9 times the distance from Earth to the Moon. NASA assures us that there’s no danger this time; it’s a thrilling flyby, not a close call!

Tune In for the Live Stream!

The exciting livestream will kick off at 4:30 p.m. EDT (20:30 GMT) on May 9, just hours before the asteroid's closest approach at 11:02 GMT. The stream will also feature views of the bright asteroid Vesta, which is still shining brightly in the night sky after its recent opposition.

Behind the Scenes: How They Captured the Footage

Gianluca Masi, the founder of The Virtual Telescope Project, has revealed that their team has already captured stunning images of 2002 JX8, showing it as a moving dot against the stellar backdrop. The project regularly offers free online viewing sessions, making stunning astronomical events accessible to everyone.

What Are Potentially Hazardous Asteroids?

So, just what qualifies an asteroid as 'potentially hazardous'? According to NASA, it’s based on its brightness and how close it can come to Earth—within 0.05 astronomical units. While there are about 4,700 known PHAs lurking in our solar system, fear not! NASA estimates that a significant impact from an asteroid only occurs once every 20,000 years.

A Safe Future Ahead!

In fact, scientists from the Center for Near Earth Object Studies have reassuring news: the chances of a large asteroid causing major destruction on Earth in the next century are exceedingly low. So grab your telescope or just tune into the livestream and enjoy this rare cosmic event!