Close approach
T. rex-sized asteroid 2026 VP8
3.0 LD · ~12 m
3.0 LD
lunar distances from Earth
1,134,078 km
distance from Earth’s center
7–22 m
estimated diameter
T. rex
roughly the size of
2026 VP8 · ~12 mT. rex · 12.3 m long
10 m
Drawn to scale.
Silhouette: Richard Rich, PhyloPic (CC0)
2026 VP8 passes about 3.0× the distance to the Moon from Earth (1,134,078 km). It is 7–22 m across (estimated). If a rock this size hit Earth, it would burn up as a bright fireball high in the atmosphere; at most, small meteorites reach the ground. Astronomers spot one this size passing within 5× the Moon's distance about 330 times a year, and many more pass unseen. This is a routine close approach with no known impact risk.
For the background, read Impact risk in Asteroids.
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