A large asteroid, 1997 NC1, will make its closest approach to Earth in over four centuries on June 27, 2026. The object is estimated to be between 750-1,650 meters (2,460-5,410 feet) in diameter and will pass by at a distance of 0.017 astronomical units (AU), or about 2.5 million kilometers (1.6 million miles) above the Earth’s surface.
The asteroid, classified as Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA), belongs to the Aten group of near-Earth asteroids. It was discovered in 1997 by the Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) survey at Haleakala, Hawaii.
According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), this will be the asteroid’s closest computed approach since before 1600. The object will fly past Earth at a relative speed of 8.9 km/s (19,900 mph).
The Virtual Telescope Project will stream the flyby live on June 26 and 27, offering real-time views as the asteroid reaches peak brightness. Viewers can witness this rare event with expert commentary by Gianluca Masi.
The asteroid is expected to be visible in the night sky, with a peak brightness near magnitude 10. However, its visibility may be affected by the nearby Moon. Inbound visibility is favored over northern locations, while outbound visibility is more suitable for the Southern Hemisphere.
Note: The article has been condensed and simplified to maintain clarity and concision while losing some of the original details.
Source: https://watchers.news/2026/06/26/large-asteroid-1997-nc1-makes-its-closest-earth-pass-in-over-four-centuries-live-watch