A massive asteroid measuring roughly 3,300 feet (about one kilometer) across is set to make a close approach to Earth on June 27, drawing attention from astronomers and skywatchers around the world.
Known as asteroid 1997 NC1, the space rock is the largest asteroid expected to pass near Earth in four years. While its size is impressive, scientists say there is no danger of an impact during this flyby.
What is asteroid 1997 NC1?
Asteroid 1997 NC1 is an Aten-type near-Earth asteroid, a category of space rocks whose orbits cross Earth’s path around the Sun.
The asteroid was discovered by the Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) program at Haleakala Observatory in Hawaii and has been monitored by astronomers for decades.
Its estimated diameter of about one kilometer places it among the larger near-Earth asteroids regularly tracked by planetary defense programs.
How close will the asteroid come to Earth?
At its closest point, asteroid 1997 NC1 is expected to pass approximately 2.4 million kilometers from Earth.
While that may sound alarmingly close, it is more than six times the average distance between Earth and the Moon.
In astronomical terms, the asteroid qualifies as a “close approach,” but it remains safely distant from our planet.
Is asteroid 1997 NC1 going to hit Earth?
No.
Current orbital calculations show no risk of impact during this flyby.
Scientists have tracked the asteroid’s trajectory and confirmed that it will pass safely by Earth.
Although 1997 NC1 is classified as an Earth-crossing asteroid, that designation simply means its orbit intersects Earth’s orbital path around the Sun. It does not mean a collision is imminent.
Why is this asteroid getting so much attention?
The asteroid stands out because of its size.
The last asteroid of comparable dimensions to make a notable close approach was asteroid 1994 PC1, which passed Earth in January 2022 at a distance of roughly 1.98 million kilometers.
Objects measuring around one kilometer are large enough to cause regional or even global consequences if they were ever to collide with Earth, making them a priority for planetary defense monitoring.
Can you see asteroid 1997 NC1?
Yes, but not with the naked eye.
Astronomers say a telescope with an aperture of at least six inches is recommended to observe the asteroid.
Even then, it will not appear as a dramatic object streaking across the sky. Instead, observers will likely see it as a faint point of light moving slowly against the background stars.
The best viewing opportunities are expected around June 26, 27, and 28.
What would happen if a one-kilometer asteroid hit Earth?
While asteroid 1997 NC1 poses no threat during this encounter, its size naturally raises questions about a hypothetical impact.
Potential consequences of a collision
- A crater roughly 10 to 15 kilometers wide could form.
- The impact zone would experience complete devastation.
- Massive shockwaves would flatten structures over a vast area.
- Dust and debris could be blasted into the atmosphere.
- Regional climate disruptions could follow.
Scientists often compare such scenarios with past asteroid impacts to understand potential risks.
However, experts emphasize that this is only a theoretical discussion and not a prediction related to 1997 NC1.
How does it compare with the Chelyabinsk meteor?
The 2013 Chelyabinsk meteor over Russia was dramatically smaller than 1997 NC1.
Despite being only a fraction of the size, it generated a powerful airburst that shattered windows across multiple cities and injured more than 1,000 people, mostly from flying glass.
The event highlighted how even relatively small space objects can cause significant damage.
A one-kilometer asteroid would be in an entirely different category, carrying vastly more energy.
How do scientists track dangerous asteroids?
Planetary defense programs around the world continuously monitor near-Earth objects.
Key organizations include:
- NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS)
- NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office
- The European Space Agency’s planetary defense program
- Global telescope networks dedicated to asteroid detection
These systems help identify potentially hazardous objects years or even decades before any possible close approach.
Why events like this matter
Close passes by large asteroids serve as reminders of the importance of planetary defense efforts.
The discovery of asteroid 1997 NC1 long before its approach demonstrates how modern monitoring systems can track potentially hazardous objects and accurately predict their trajectories.
Scientists now have far greater capabilities than they did decades ago, including testing asteroid-deflection technologies through missions such as NASA’s DART project.
TL;DR
- Asteroid 1997 NC1 is about 3,300 feet (1 kilometer) wide.
- It will make its closest approach to Earth on June 27.
- The asteroid will pass at a distance of roughly 2.4 million kilometers.
- It is traveling at about 32,000 km/h.
- NASA classifies it as an Earth-crossing asteroid, but there is no impact risk during this approach.
- It is the largest asteroid to pass near Earth since 2022.