How To Watch A Massive Mile-Wide Asteroid This Weekend During A Rare Flyby

A massive asteroid, possibly up to a mile wide, is set to fly safely past Earth this weekend, with live online streams available for those eager to witness the rare celestial event. On Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27, 2026, asteroid 1997 NC1 — a near-Earth object estimated to be between 0.5 and 1 mile (800 to 1,600 meters) in diameter — will make its closest approach to our planet, passing at a distance of roughly 4.6 million miles (7.4 million kilometers). That is about 19 times the distance to the Moon, posing zero risk of impact.

This flyby offers a unique opportunity for both professional astronomers and amateur skywatchers. The asteroid 1997 NC1 flyby is a major event because objects of this size do not come this close very often — only a handful of such large asteroids are predicted to pass within a few million miles of Earth each year. The Virtual Telescope Project and other observatories will host live streams beginning at scheduled times on both days, making the event accessible to a global audience without needing telescopes.

The asteroid was first discovered in 1997 by the Spacewatch program at the University of Arizona. Since then, its orbit has been well characterized by NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). The term 'potentially hazardous asteroid' (PHA) is applied to objects of this size that come within 4.6 million miles of Earth, but CNEOS has repeatedly stated that 1997 NC1 poses no danger during this or any predicted future pass. The flyby is part of a routine monitoring effort, but the size and closeness make it a headline-grabbing event.

For those wanting to watch, the live streams will be available on Friday, June 26 starting at 5:00 PM EDT (21:00 UTC) and on Saturday, June 27 at similar times. The Virtual Telescope Project will provide real-time imagery from its robotic telescopes in Italy. Other outlets, including the Slooh Observatory and even some astronomy-focused YouTube channels, may also carry the feed. The asteroid is not visible to the naked eye due to its distance and brightness, but telescopes and high-quality cameras will capture its slow movement across the starfield.

This event underscores the ongoing importance of planetary defense efforts. While 1997 NC1 is safe, its close pass serves as a reminder of the millions of near-Earth objects yet to be cataloged. The upcoming NEO Surveyor mission, set to launch later this decade, aims to find 90% of objects larger than 140 meters. For now, the asteroid 1997 NC1 flyby is a rare chance for the public to engage with space science.

Looking ahead, the next comparable flyby of a mile-wide asteroid may not occur for several years. Astronomers will use radar and optical observations during this pass to refine the asteroid’s orbit and physical properties, which could improve future impact risk assessments. Tune in this weekend to witness a piece of cosmic history.