Asteroid 2022 YS5 will make a close pass by Earth. Experts explain its path, size, and why it’s no threat. Get the latest details from NASA and space agencies.
Space enthusiasts and astronomers alike are turning their attention to the skies as asteroid 2022 YS5 prepares for a close flyby of Earth in the coming days. This near-Earth object, first detected in late 2022, has been tracked closely by scientists around the globe, offering a unique opportunity to study these cosmic wanderers up close.
What We Know About Asteroid 2022 YS5
Discovered by the Pan-STARRS observatory in Hawaii on December 21, 2022, asteroid 2022 YS5 is classified as a near-Earth asteroid (NEA) by NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS). Measuring approximately 15 to 33 feet (4.5 to 10 meters) in diameter—about the size of a small school bus—it’s categorized as a "potentially hazardous asteroid" not because it poses a threat, but due to its orbit’s proximity to Earth.
Dr. Amy Mainzer, principal investigator of NASA’s NEOWISE mission, explains: "Objects like 2022 YS5 are cosmic neighbors that visit our neighborhood regularly. Tracking them helps us understand the solar system’s history while keeping an eye on anything that might pose a future risk."
2022 YS5’s Close Approach: When and How Close?
The asteroid will make its closest approach to Earth on [insert date], passing at a distance of approximately 1.2 million miles (1.9 million kilometers)—about five times the distance between Earth and the Moon. For context, that’s well within the "safe zone" astronomers use to assess potential threats.
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has been monitoring the asteroid’s trajectory since its discovery, refining calculations with each observation. Their latest data shows a 0% chance of impact with Earth during this flyby or any foreseeable future encounters.
"This is a great example of our planetary defense network in action," says Lindley Johnson, NASA’s Planetary Defense Officer. "We’re able to track these objects years in advance, providing accurate predictions that keep the public informed without causing unnecessary alarm."
How to Spot 2022 YS5 (If You’re Lucky)
While 2022 YS5 won’t be visible to the naked eye, amateur astronomers with moderate-sized telescopes (8 inches or larger) might catch a glimpse under dark skies. It will reach a maximum brightness of magnitude 14.5 during its closest approach—about 1,000 times dimmer than what the human eye can see.
Astronomy apps like SkySafari and Stellarium will have real-time tracking data, showing the asteroid’s path through the constellations [insert constellations]. The Virtual Telescope Project will also host a live stream of the flyby, allowing anyone with an internet connection to watch the event.
Dr. Richard Binzel, a planetary scientist at MIT, encourages stargazers to tune in: "Events like this remind us we’re part of a dynamic solar system. Even small asteroids tell big stories about how planets formed and evolved."
Why Tracking Small Asteroids Matters
While 2022 YS5 is small and harmless, its flyby highlights the importance of monitoring near-Earth objects. In 2013, a 65-foot (20-meter) asteroid exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, causing minor injuries and property damage. Events like that underscore why NASA and international partners invest in detection systems.
The recently launched NEO Surveyor mission, set to launch in 2026, will dramatically improve our ability to spot smaller asteroids. Equipped with an infrared telescope, it will detect objects 10 times smaller than current systems can identify.
"Every asteroid we track is a data point that improves our models," notes Dr. Mainzer. "2022 YS5 might be small, but studying it helps us better predict the paths of larger objects that could one day require deflection efforts."
As 2022 YS5 continues its journey around the Sun, it serves as a reminder of our place in the cosmos—connected to a vast network of celestial bodies, each with its own story. For now, we can watch this cosmic visitor pass by, grateful for the science that lets us welcome it safely.
Follow @NASAJPL and @AsteroidWatch on Twitter for real-time updates during the flyby, and join the conversation using #Asteroid2022YS5 to share your observations and questions.