NASA confirms three asteroids set to pass near Earth today — How close are they really?

NASA tracks three asteroids approaching Earth on March 19. (Representative Image: Canva)

• Three asteroids will safely pass near Earth on March 19, 2026.
• NASA confirms none of the asteroids pose any threat to Earth.
• Astronomers will use the flybys to study and track space rocks.

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Asteroids in space keep on travelling from one place to another. Space seems to be silent in appearance, but a lot of events are happening every second. Some nebulas burst, some stars twinkle and some asteroids travel plant to planet.

NASA is keeping track on three asteroids that are coming close to Earth on 18 March 2026. Astronomers are keeping an eye on these asteroids.

Asteroids on the Move

NASA keeps a track on thousands of near-Earth objects (NEOs) to ensure that potential hazards are identified well in advance. Here are the three asteroids zooming past planet Earth:

1. Bus-Sized, 2026 FA

This asteroid is the smallest of the trio, measuring just 21 feet, about the size of a small bus. It will come within 404,000 miles of Earth which is roughly 1.6 times the distance to the Moon.

2. Bus-Sized, 2026 EF2

Slightly larger at 39 feet, this asteroid’s closest approach will be 1.1 million miles, or more than four times the distance to the Moon. This asteroid is also a size of bus but bigger.

3. Airplane-Sized, 2026 ED3

This asteroid is the biggest of the three. At 230 feet comparable to a commercial airplane, it will make past Earth from 1.9 million miles away which is almost eight times farther than the Moon.

Are These Asteroids Dangerous?

Scientists emphasise that all three flybys are safe. Even the largest, 2026 ED3, is passing at a distance far beyond the Moon, posing no risk of collision with Earth. NASA and other space agencies routinely track these objects as part of planetary defense programs. They monitor potentially hazardous asteroids and predicting their orbits decades in advance.

Why Astronomers Watch These Flybys?

Observing asteroids helps researchers learn about the early solar system and the building blocks of planets. Flybys allow astronomers to practice detecting and tracking small, fast-moving objects in space. Close passes, even if millions of miles away, offer a chance for enthusiasts to view or photograph these space rocks.

These asteroids are Safe

Despite being called “close approaches,” these asteroids are still very far from Earth and far beyond the Moon. Sizes vary from small bus-sized objects to a large airplane-sized asteroid. These flybys are normal and monitored by NASA and other space agencies to ensure Earth safety.