The asteroid 1997 NC1, a massive space rock estimated to be 1,650 metres wide, will pass within 2.5 to 2.6 million kilometres of Earth on June 27. According to the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and NASA, the flyby poses no risk to our planet, though NASA has officially designated the object as a “Potentially Hazardous Asteroid.”
How large is the 1997 NC1 asteroid?
The asteroid is roughly 1,650 metres across, making it approximately three times the height of the CN Tower, which stands at 550 metres. According to the Dunlap Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the University of Toronto, this massive scale is significant for researchers who track minor planets. While asteroids vary widely in size—ranging from small 10-metre bodies to the 500-kilometre-wide Vesta—1997 NC1 is a substantial object.
If the Earth were shrunk to the size of an orange, this asteroid would still pass 20 metres away from the surface, according to Heidi White of the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets.
Why is this specific flyby significant?
This event marks the closest pass of 1997 NC1 since before the year 1600, according to NASA records. While the agency notes that massive asteroid impacts are rare, the scientific community views these close approaches as “free reconnaissance missions.” Heidi White explains that these events allow astronomers to refine orbital data and conduct detailed observations of an object’s size, shape, and composition that would otherwise be impossible to capture.
How can you view the asteroid from Canada?
Canadians can observe the asteroid on June 27 using a small telescope when the sky is fully dark. According to the Trottier Institute, observers should look toward the Ophiuchus constellation, where the asteroid will appear as a faint, slowly moving point of light against the backdrop of stars. These events are uncommon, occurring roughly every five years, and the asteroid is not expected to return to this proximity until 2133.
Comparing asteroid classifications
The CSA clarifies that the classification refers to the asteroid’s potential to come near Earth. The following table highlights the objective data provided by reporting agencies:
| Metric | Data Point |
|---|---|
| Estimated Width | Up to 1,650 metres |
| Distance from Earth | 2.5–2.6 million km |
| Next Close Approach | Year 2133 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 1997 NC1 going to hit Earth?
No. According to the Canadian Space Agency, the asteroid poses no risk to Earth during its June 27 flyby.
Can I see the asteroid without a telescope?
No. Experts at the Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets state that a small telescope is required to spot the asteroid as it moves through the night sky.
What is a “Potentially Hazardous Asteroid”?
NASA has designated 1997 NC1 as a “Potentially Hazardous Asteroid.”
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