Mountain-sized asteroid 318411 will safely pass Earth on May 12, 2026

Article created on May 12, 2026.

Quick Summary

Asteroid Flyby Overview

A colossal asteroid larger than a mountain will safely pass Earth on May 12, 2026, an event that is exceptionally rare.

How Big Is 318411?

This asteroid exceeds 1510.0 meters (4954.1 feet), large enough to compare with entire islands or mountain ranges.

Could It Hit Us?

Extensive tracking confirms that this giant asteroid poses no danger to Earth during its May 12, 2026 encounter.

What Would Happen If It Hit Earth?

An impact from an object this size could cause mass extinctions, as happened 65 million years ago with the dinosaurs.

Historical Context

The Chicxulub impactor, responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs, was about 10 kilometers wide.

Upcoming Close Approaches

Apophis will pass extremely close in 2029.

About Near-Earth Asteroids

Near-Earth asteroids are remnants from the solar system's formation, and NASA tracks over 35,000 of them.

Conclusion

Fortunately, no objects of this scale are currently on a collision course with Earth.