2026 JH2
Near-Earth asteroid
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
2026 JH2 is a small near-Earth asteroid with a diameter between 15 and 35 metres (49 and 110 feet). It was discovered by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Tucson, Arizona on 10 May 2026. Classified as an Earth-crossing Apollo asteroid, 2026 JH2 will pass no closer than 91,572 ± 186 kilometres (56,900 ± 116 mi) from Earth on 18 May 2026, far enough to pose no threat. During its close approach to Earth, it will brighten to an apparent magnitude of up to 11.5, bright enough to be seen by a small telescope under dark skies.[5][7]
| Discovery[1][2] | |
|---|---|
| Discovered by | Mt. Lemmon Survey |
| Discovery site | Mt. Lemmon Obs. |
| Discovery date | 10 May 2026 |
| Designations | |
| 2026 JH2 | |
| CELU1Q2[3] | |
| NEO · Apollo | |
| Orbital characteristics[4] | |
| Epoch 21 November 2025 (JD 2461000.5) | |
| Uncertainty parameter 7 | |
| Observation arc | 7 days |
| Aphelion | 3.827±0.004 AU |
| Perihelion | 1.011 AU |
| 2.419±0.002 AU | |
| Eccentricity | 0.5822±0.0004 |
| 3.76 yr (1,374 d) | |
| 311.942°±0.066° | |
| 0° 15m 43.298s / day | |
| Inclination | 6.007°±0.003° |
| 57.481°±0.002° | |
| 185.585°±0.001° | |
| Earth MOID | 0.0007345 AU (109,880 km) |
| Physical characteristics | |
| 15–35 m[5][6] | |
| 26.32±0.40[4] | |
Discovery
2026 JH2 was discovered by the Mount Lemmon Survey in Tucson, Arizona on 10 May 2026.[6] The object was initially detected at a very faint apparent magnitude of 21, and was briefly codenamed CELU1Q2.[2][3] Over the span of 2 days, other observatories including Steward Observatory, Farpoint Observatory, and Magdalena Ridge Observatory performed follow-up observations of the asteroid and confirmed its orbit.[2] The Minor Planet Center announced the asteroid's discovery on 12 May 2026 and gave it the provisional designation 2026 JH2.[2]
Orbit and close approach
2026 JH2 is a near-Earth asteroid following an elliptical orbit around the Sun, stretching from the vicinity of Earth (perihelion 1.01 astronomical units or AU) to almost the distance of Jupiter (aphelion 3.83 AU).[7][6][4] 2026 JH2 is classified as an Apollo asteroid because it crosses the orbit of Earth while a semi-major axis beyond Earth's orbit (>1 AU).[6][4]
2026 JH2 will safely pass close to Earth on 18 May 2026.[6] It will pass no closer than 91,572 ± 186 kilometres (56,900 ± 116 mi) from the planet at the time of its closest approach on May 18, 22:00 Universal Time (UT).[4] About three hours before its closest approach to Earth, the asteroid will have passed by the Moon at a much greater distance of 422,530 ± 137 km (262,548 ± 85 mi).[4]
2026 JH2 will gradually brighten as it approaches Earth.[8] From May 12 to the end of May 17, the asteroid will reside in the northern sky at declinations +31 to +25°.[8] On May 18, the asteroid will cross the celestial equator at apparent magnitude 13, entering the southern sky at around 18:00 UT.[8] The asteroid will reach a peak brightness of magnitude 11.5 at declinations −30° to −50°,[8] where it can be observed by small telescopes under dark skies.[5][7]
Physical characteristics
Little is known about the physical properties of 2026 JH2.[6] Based on its brightness or absolute magnitude of 26.1, its diameter is estimated to be between 15 and 35 metres (49 and 110 feet), depending on the reflectivity or albedo of its surface.[6] This size range makes 2026 JH2 about the same size as the meteor that caused damage over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk in 2013.[6]
See also
- 2024 YR4 – a similarly sized near-Earth asteroid that received much attention during 2024–2025 because of its possibility of impact
