NASA Tracks a Near-Earth Asteroid Flyby (Safely!) - Big Brain News
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"NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory tracks asteroids with telescopes and math, and its “Next Five Asteroid Approaches” list included one flying by Earth on May 10, 2026 at a safe distance."

NASA Tracks a Near-Earth Asteroid Flyby (Safely!)

May 11, 2026

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory keeps track of space rocks that pass near Earth, and its list called “Next Five Asteroid Approaches” included an asteroid flyby on May 10, 2026. A flyby means it passes by in space—without coming down to Earth.

Even though “asteroid” can sound dramatic, NASA explains that most flybys are at safe distances. A helpful way to picture it is like tracking airplanes: they may be near your town in the sky, but they’re monitored and follow predictable routes.

Asteroids are leftovers from the early days of our solar system—like crumbs from a giant planet-making project. Scientists use telescopes and math to measure where an asteroid is and how it moves, which helps them understand its path.

Keeping a list isn’t about panic; it’s about being organized and staying informed. When scientists track objects carefully, they learn more about space and can double-check that our neighborhood in the solar system stays calm and predictable.