The Jeddah Astronomical Society, through its president, Engineer Majid Abu Zahra, announced an anticipated astronomical event that will be visible in Earth's skies on Tuesday, February 17, 2026: the passage of a newly discovered small asteroid known as 2026 CR2 . This announcement aims to reassure the public and clarify the scientific facts related to such recurring cosmic phenomena.
Details of the asteroid's passage and its distance from Earth
According to data released by the association, the asteroid is moving at a relatively high speed, placing it in the category of near-Earth asteroids. The celestial body is expected to reach its closest point to our planet at a distance of approximately 136,500 kilometers. To put this into perspective, this distance is less than half the average distance between the Earth and the Moon, which is about 385,000 kilometers. Although this approach is classified as "close" astronomically, the calculated trajectory of the asteroid confirms that it is completely safe and poses no threat of collision with Earth.
Would an asteroid pose a danger if it entered the atmosphere?
Engineer Abu Zahra explained that the asteroid's diameter is only about 3 meters, a very small size by astronomical standards. He pointed out that even in a hypothetical scenario of this object colliding with Earth's atmosphere, the result would not be catastrophic. Due to its small size and speed, the asteroid would transform into a bright fireball upon contact with the upper atmosphere, disintegrating completely before reaching the surface. This phenomenon is natural and occurs several times a year with similar space rocks, without most of Earth's inhabitants noticing it.
The importance of observing small celestial objects
The observation and tracking of small asteroids like 2026 CR2 of paramount scientific importance, extending far beyond mere observation of the sky. These objects pose a significant challenge to current observational technologies due to their small diameters and high speeds, with most only being detected when they make a very close approach to Earth. The success of observatories in determining the trajectory of this asteroid demonstrates the advancement of global astronomical observation capabilities and serves as a practical test of the scientific community's readiness to address any future threats that may arise from larger objects.
Asteroids are time capsules from the history of the solar system
The Jeddah Astronomical Society confirmed that the scientific value of these asteroids lies in their being "time capsules" or original remnants from the era when the solar system was forming billions of years ago. Studying their composition and trajectories gives scientists a rare opportunity to travel back in time and understand the initial conditions that led to the formation of planets, including Earth. Given the limited window of opportunity to observe this asteroid, which is only a few days, scientists are racing against time to gather as much data as possible for analysis and use in future astronomical research.
