2026-01-27, 07:02 PM
CNEOS predicts the close approach of the kilometer-sized NEA, (500080) 2011 WV134, on 2026-Mar-03 19:43±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.06410 AU moving with V Relative=11.33 km/sec, H=17.2 magnitude, diameter 960 m - 2.1 km and 'Rarity'=2. As of January 27, there was a 7003 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0184296 AU. The solution date was 2026-Jan-27 05:18:43 PST. This NEA was discovered 2011-11-30 by CSS at Catalina. This object is on MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools. It won't be this close again for over 100 years.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 January 27 0000 UT, ST 4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that (500080) 2011 WV134 will reach a peak brightness of 15.1 magnitude from February 14 (in Orion) to February 21 (in Taurus). On the evening of 2026 February 16 it's predicted to be traveling through Taurus at 4.8"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 March 3 at 1500 EST (2000 UT) with the MP traveling through Pisces at 15"/minute and 15.9 magnitude, but in daylight in Columbus, Ohio. It's currently 15.7 magnitude in Orion traveling at 1.8"/minute.
Here's the Object Info dialog for (500080) 2011 WV134:
This NEA isn't moving very quickly so it should be easy to observe, if it's bright enough for your optical system to pick it up.
Good Hunting,
Phil S.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 January 27 0000 UT, ST 4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that (500080) 2011 WV134 will reach a peak brightness of 15.1 magnitude from February 14 (in Orion) to February 21 (in Taurus). On the evening of 2026 February 16 it's predicted to be traveling through Taurus at 4.8"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 March 3 at 1500 EST (2000 UT) with the MP traveling through Pisces at 15"/minute and 15.9 magnitude, but in daylight in Columbus, Ohio. It's currently 15.7 magnitude in Orion traveling at 1.8"/minute.
Here's the Object Info dialog for (500080) 2011 WV134:
This NEA isn't moving very quickly so it should be easy to observe, if it's bright enough for your optical system to pick it up.
Good Hunting,
Phil S.