Car-Sized Asteroid to Buzz Earth in 2026

On March 24, 2026, asteroid 2026 FM3 will zip past Earth at 10:07 p.m. EDT, traveling at 11,461 miles per hour. Discovered just three days prior by the Zwicky Transient Facility, it underscores the importance of continuous sky surveys. While 2026 FM3 poses no immediate threat, NASA and other organizations track thousands of near-Earth asteroids to understand their trajectories and assess potential future hazards. The B612 Foundation is one nonprofit taking on the challenge of protecting Earth from dangerous asteroids.

Even if an asteroid of similar size were to enter Earth's atmosphere, it would likely burn up, creating a bright fireball with minimal damage. NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies continuously refines models and risk assessments using data from ground-based telescopes and international collaborations.

NASA's DART mission successfully altered the orbit of its target asteroid, proving the viability of planetary defense strategies. This mission hit so hard it changed its target space rocks' orbit around the sun. These efforts, combined with ongoing monitoring, contribute to our understanding and preparedness for potential asteroid impacts.

No, current observations indicate that 2026 FM3 poses no threat to Earth for at least the next 100 years.

Small asteroids (up to 30 feet) impact Earth roughly every ten years. Larger, more dangerous asteroids are far less frequent, occurring on timescales of thousands to millions of years.

Do you find comfort in knowing experts are keeping an eye on near-Earth objects, or does it cause you anxiety? Share this article with others who need to stay ahead of this trend!