A blue-whale-sized asteroid will pass near Earth on May 18, and observers can watch the encounter live online. The Virtual Telescope Project will stream the event starting at 3:45 p.m. EDT, offering near real-time views from robotic telescopes positioned in Italy. Weather conditions permitting, viewers worldwide can access the livestream to observe the space rock's trajectory as it approaches our planet.
The asteroid, comparable in size to the largest marine animal on Earth, poses no collision risk during this flyby. Near-Earth object flybys happen regularly, and astronomers use these events as opportunities to study asteroids, refine tracking data, and test observation equipment. The Virtual Telescope Project, an Italian observatory network, has established itself as a leading resource for public engagement with astronomical events, offering free livestreams of celestial phenomena that would otherwise require professional-grade equipment to observe.
The broadcast provides educational value for astronomy enthusiasts and the general public alike. Watching asteroids in real time offers a visceral connection to space science, demonstrating the dynamic nature of our solar system and Earth's place within it. Such public viewing events also help communicate planetary science findings to wider audiences and underscore ongoing monitoring efforts by the astronomical community.
For those planning to watch, the livestream requires only internet access. The Virtual Telescope Project typically embeds streams on its website, making participation accessible to anyone with a device and connection. While weather at the observation site in Italy could disrupt the feed, alternative viewing angles or recorded footage often become available if conditions worsen.