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A large asteroid will zip past Earth this weekend
By ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN, Associated Press at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· June 26, 2026
· 1 min read
A large asteroid will zip past Earth this weekend, but don’t worry: It poses no danger.The space rock — 1997 NC1 — makes its closest approach Saturday morning, coming within 1.6 million miles, according to the European Space Agency.Discovered nearly three decades ago by an asteroid-tracking syste...
Key takeaway 6 million miles, according to the European Space Agency.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
For Atlanta residents interested in catching a glimpse of asteroid 1997 NC1, the city's relatively low light pollution in outlying areas may provide a decent viewing experience with binoculars or small telescopes. While the asteroid's passage poses no danger, its size, comparable to two to four Empire State Buildings, is a notable aspect of this celestial event. The fact that NASA and other space agencies closely track the paths of asteroids like 1997 NC1 underscores the ongoing effort to protect Earth from potential collisions. Locally, this event may spark interest in astronomy among Atlantans, potentially drawing attention to the city's own resources for stargazing and space education. As the asteroid makes its closest approach on Saturday morning, residents may want to take advantage of the clear skies and try to spot this rare visitor to our cosmic neighborhood.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A large asteroid will zip past Earth this weekend, but don’t worry: It poses no danger.The space rock — 1997 NC1 — makes its closest approach Saturday morning, coming within 1.6 million miles, according to the European Space Agency.Discovered nearly three decades ago by an asteroid-tracking syste...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by ADITHI RAMAKRISHNAN, Associated Press at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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