The asteroid, designated 2026 GD, was discovered on Monday (April 6) and is estimated to be 16 meters (54 feet) in diameter. The solar system wanderer will make its closest approach to Earth at 6:59 p.m. (2259 GMT) on April 9, when it will pass 155,760 miles (250,000 km), or 0.65 lunar distances, while moving at 28,030 miles per hour (45,109 kilometers per hour).
2026 GD will make an even closer approach to the moon a few hours later, at 8:12 p.m. EDT on April 9 (0012 GMT on April 10), passing just 101,000 miles (163,750 km) from the lunar surface while posing no threat to either Earth or its natural satellite.
The asteroid will also pose no threat to the crew of the Artemis 2 lunar mission, which is currently travelling between the moon and Earth ahead of its scheduled parachute-assisted splashdown off the coast of California on Friday (April 10).
