- A car-sized asteroid called 2018 VP1 will swing past Earth on November 2, the day before Election Day 2020.
- Fortunately, as astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson points out, 2018 VP1 has a 0.41 percent chance of entering Earth's atmosphere. It would likely burn up anyway.
- Researchers discovered the asteroid in 2018 using telescopes at the Zwicky Transient Facility in California.
Over the weekend, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson once again dredged up the news of an asteroid called 2018 VP1, which is scheduled to zip past Earth on November 2. Yes, that's just one day before Americans will cast their vote for the next President of the United States.
However, as Tyson wrote, if images of a massive space rock slamming into Earth are sending chills down your spine, you don't need to panic. Indeed, when the asteroid first popped up on the planet's radar back in August, NASA quickly put any fears of an imminent disaster to bed.
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"Asteroid 2018VP1 is very small, approx. 6.5 feet, and poses no threat to Earth!" NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office tweeted on August 23. "It currently has a 0.41 [percent] chance of entering our planet’s atmosphere, but if it did, it would disintegrate due to its extremely small size."
Sky-scanning researchers discovered 2018 VP1 at the Zwicky Transient Facility at Caltech's Palomar Observatory in 2018. Because of its small size, scientists have had a tough time keeping track of the object and plotting its trajectory.
NASA established its Near-Earth Object Observations Program in 1998 and has since discovered around 19,000 near-Earth objects. In 2005, Congress asked the agency to find 90 percent of all near-Earth asteroids approximately 460 feet or larger. These rocky bodies are big enough to, at the very least, cause regional damage to the planet and destabilize the global atmosphere and impact crop production.
Within the category of near-Earth objects, NASA is also tracking potentially hazardous objects. These asteroids—like Bennu, the asteroid at the center of NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission—are anywhere from 100 to 160 feet wide and are projected to come within 5 million miles of Earth. Fortunately, none of these asteroids is schedule to "visit" anytime soon.
The Best Telescopes for Stargazing
Gskyer AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope
With more than 19,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.4/5 rating, it's not hard to see why the Gskyer telescope is a fan favorite. This option features a 70mm aperture and fully coated optimal lenses to offer a crisp, clear view of the night's sky. Tech savvy stargazers will appreciate wireless remote, smart phone adapter, and the additional Barlow lens that triples the magnification of each eye piece. Thanks to its adjustable, aluminum alloy tripod, this telescope is suitable for every member of the family.
If you're looking for a telescope for kids, or if you're a beginner, this HEXEUM model is a high-quality choice. It comes with an 70mm aperture, plus two eyepieces at 10mm and 25mm each. You'll particularly love that this telescope comes with a phone adapter, which means you can attach your phone to the eyepiece and finally get an amazing photo of the night sky.
ECOOPRO 70mm Astronomy Refractor Telescope
Easy to set up and compact, this telescope comes with a 70mm aperture, two eye pieces, a finder scope, and a tripod. Perfect for astrology or even bird watching, you can set it up on a tabletop with the tripod set to 15 inches, or extend the legs as long as 47 inches. It also comes with a map of the moon and stars for easy reference.
ESSLNB's telescope is a great choice for kids or beginners. It features a built-in reversing lens, which means that none of the images you see will ever be upside down. Its 70mm lens gives you a wide range of vision, and the telescope's brightness makes everything easy to see. Plus, you can connect your phone and finally take a decent picture of the night sky.
Emarth Telescope
Beginner stargazers will find a lot to love about Emarth's Telescope. Using it is easy: All you need to do is point the tube in the direction of the desired object and take a gander. With two high-quality eyepieces (70mm and 360mm) that provide low- and high-power views of celestial objects, you'll be able to satisfy your stargazing wishes with ease.
NASA Lunar Telescope for Kids
Consider NASA Lunar Telescope the perfect option for avid adventurers or kids who are yearning to spontaneously stargaze. Clocking in at a little over two pounds, this option is lightweight enough to stow in the trunk of your car. This telescope features a multi-coated, extra-low dispersion optical glass to ensure you'll score a clear, perfectly contrasted view of the night's sky.
Celestron 70mm Refractor Telescope
Great for beginners (and priced accordingly), this option features a wide, 70 millimeter aperture that will make stars and constellations appear bright and clear. With two eyepieces—10mm to 20mm—it's suitable for a range of stargazing experiences. Download the SkyPortal app to help you find specific sites, or use Celestron's Starry Night software—both are free. To top it off, the telescope comes with a tripod, a finder scope, and a backpack to carry it all.
The closest ever recorded approach by an asteroid occurred on August 16, when 2020 QG flew 1,830 miles above Earth's surface. Scientists at Zwicky spotted the SUV-sized asteroid about 6 hours after the close call as it zipped away from Earth. Had 2020 QG swerved into Earth's atmosphere, however, it would have burned up.
So there you have it: 2018 VP1 won't destroy our planet before Election Day, though it certainly would be fitting. You'll still be able to exercise your civic duty on November 3.
Jennifer Leman is a science journalist and senior features editor at Popular Mechanics, Runner's World, and Bicycling. A graduate of the Science Communication Program at UC Santa Cruz, her work has appeared in The Atlantic, Scientific American, Science News and Nature. Her favorite stories illuminate Earth's many wonders and hazards.
