ASA has confirmed that two airplane-sized asteroids will make a close, but completely safe, approach to Earth on April 27, 2026.
The two near-Earth objects, named 2026 HJ3 and 2026 HR, are being closely tracked by scientists as part of routine monitoring of space objects that pass near our planet.
According to orbital data, both asteroids will pass Earth at distances of several million miles. The closest of the two will still remain far beyond any danger zone, meaning there is no risk of collision or impact.
The larger asteroid, 2026 HJ3, is estimated to be around 80 feet wide—roughly the size of a commercial airplane. It will pass Earth at about 3.8 million miles away. The second asteroid, 2026 HR, is slightly smaller at around 68 feet and will pass at a similar safe distance of nearly 4 million miles.
NASA classifies such events as “close approaches,” although the term is relative in space, where even millions of miles is considered near. The agency regularly tracks thousands of near-Earth objects to study their paths and ensure early detection of any potential threats.
Scientists say these flybys are common and provide valuable opportunities to refine asteroid tracking systems and improve planetary defence capabilities. Each close approach helps researchers better understand the size, speed, and orbit of such objects.
NASA has reassured that neither asteroid poses any threat to Earth, and both will continue on their solar orbits after safely passing by.
