2026-05-16, 06:00 PM
Here's the update for the close approach of the small, Apollo class NEA 2026 JH2 on 2026-May-18 22:00±00:05 UT at a distance of 0.00061 AU moving with V Relative=9.14 km/sec, H=26.3 magnitude, diameter 15 m - 33 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of 2026 May 16, there is a 5 day observation arc, the Condition Code=7 and the Earth MOID=0.000734381 AU. The solution date was 2026-May-16 06:48:56 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Mt. Lemmon Survey on 2026-05-10. This object is too small to make the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 May 16 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that this MP will reach a peak brightness of 11.6 magnitude on May 18 at 1800 EDT when it will be traveling through Lupus at 18.3"/second in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. This is also the time of close approach (to the nearest hour). This object will be best observed from the southern hemisphere, weather permitting.
Here's the object Info dialog for 2026 JH2:
Since this MP will pass very close and the orbit is still being refined, observers should follow the instructions in the "Important Threads" post at the top of this forum section to download the latest orbital elements from JPL's HORIZONS website for their observing time. This should be quite a spectacular event for those lucky enough to see it.
Good hunting,
Phil S.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 May 16 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that this MP will reach a peak brightness of 11.6 magnitude on May 18 at 1800 EDT when it will be traveling through Lupus at 18.3"/second in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. This is also the time of close approach (to the nearest hour). This object will be best observed from the southern hemisphere, weather permitting.
Here's the object Info dialog for 2026 JH2:
Since this MP will pass very close and the orbit is still being refined, observers should follow the instructions in the "Important Threads" post at the top of this forum section to download the latest orbital elements from JPL's HORIZONS website for their observing time. This should be quite a spectacular event for those lucky enough to see it.
Good hunting,
Phil S.