Watch a 'Potentially hazardous asteroid' the size of a skyscraper close in on Earth live online tonight

Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (152637) 1997 NC1 close encounter: online observation – 26 June 2026 - YouTube Watch On A giant asteroid roughly the size of a skyscraper will pass within seven lunar distances of Earth on June 27. Here's how to watch the rare flyby during two livestreams on June 26 and June 27. How can I watch the flyby online? The Virtual Telescope Project will host two YouTube livestreams starting at 7 p.m. EDT (2300 GMT) on June 26 and 27, before and after asteroid 1997 NC1's closest approach to Earth. Each event will feature live views of the asteroid captured by a suite of robotic telescopes in Manciano, Italy, weather permitting. "While this encounter is absolutely no cause for concern, it will be a very important and interesting opportunity," Virtual Telescope Project founder Gianluca Masi said in a press release sent to Space.com. "An asteroid of this size comes this close roughly once every ten years, becoming bright enough to be easily visible through small telescopes while it crosses the starry sky." The asteroid designated 152637 1997 NC1 will make its closest approach to Earth at 7:16 a.m. EDT (1116 GMT) on June 27, when it will pass 1,594,339 miles (2,565,839 kilometers) from our planet, whipping by at 19,879 mph (31,992 km/h), according to NASA . …