Asteroid JH2 will pass close to Earth at distance less than Moon

On May 18 an asteroid named JH2 is going to pass close to the Earth in a rare astronomical phenomenon. 

Asteroids are pieces of rock that orbit the Sun which are large and small, called minor planets. Most asteroids live in the belt between Mars and Jupiter. However, some asteroids change their orbits and come close to Earth that are called Near-Earth Objects. 

JH2 is also one of the same type of asteroids which is an Apollo Class asteroid, meaning its orbit crosses the Earth's orbit. Scientists from the Space Observatory of Kansas and Arizona in America, discovered this asteroid a few days ago.

This asteroid will reportedly pass at a distance of only 90,917 kilometers from Earth which is about a quarter of the distance to the moon. The moon is approximately 3,84,000 kilometers from Earth. 

Astronomer Mark Norris reportedly said that passing so close and leaving without hitting is considered a very close distance. However, 90,000 kilometers is still a safe distance and there is no chance of a collision.

According to scientists, this asteroid can be 50 to 100 feet wide that size is considered a small building. If it hits the Earth, it can destroy the entire city.

As per experts, the event won’t be visible to the naked eye, but can be observed with moderate to amateur telescopes in Northern America.