Overview
- NIRCam observations on Feb. 18 and 26, 2026 extended the asteroid’s track and resolved earlier estimates that had assigned small impact probabilities for 2032.
- NASA’s Center for Near‑Earth Object Studies now projects a Dec. 22, 2032 flyby about 21,200 kilometers above the lunar surface.
- Independent analyses of the same data estimate a safe pass at roughly 22,900 kilometers from the Moon.
- ESA’s Planetary Defence program stated the risk is eliminated and noted routine detection and tracking will continue.
- To capture the extremely faint, fast‑moving object—likened to the light from an almond at lunar distance—the team adapted JWST’s NIRCam for precision tracking, led by Andy Rivkin and Julien de Wit.