The European Space Agency (ESA) has confirmed that on Saturday, June 27, at precisely 11:14 UTC, the asteroid (152637) 1997 NC1 will make its closest approach to Earth in over four centuries. This fly-by, which will see the asteroid pass within a distance of 2.56 million kilometers—a mere six and a half times the distance between Earth and the moon—will be visible through commercial telescopes and binoculars from various parts of the world.

While the asteroid will not come this close again until 2133, viewers in Europe should look towards the night sky on June 26 or 27, particularly in the early morning. In Mexico and the US, you can catch a glimpse during the night of June 26 to 27, with optimal viewing conditions before sunrise for those in North America. For those in Argentina and the Southern Cone, the best time will be on the night of June 27 to 28 as the asteroid moves towards the southern sky.

Despite its impressive size—between 700 meters and 1.6 kilometers—this cosmic visitor is too faint for the naked eye. It should shine with a brightness similar to that of Neptune, making it visible only through a telescope or astronomical binoculars. The asteroid will appear as a small point of light moving among the stars at a rate of about 40 arc seconds per minute—a speed easily noticeable over several minutes.

To locate the asteroid in the night sky, astronomy apps like Stellarium, Sky Tonight, or SkySafari can be invaluable tools. For a more immersive experience, a commercial telescope with an aperture of at least 100 millimeters will provide a better view. In lieu of equipment, livestreams by the Virtual Telescope Project on June 26 and 27 offer an alternative way to observe this rare celestial event from the comfort of your couch.