2018 RD2
2018 RD2
Current distance from Earth
18,715,913km
48.7 lunar distances0.125 AU
Heliocentric orbit · top-down · live
Next close approach
2026-Sep-01
Passes 19.4 lunar distances from Earth — about 7,471,152 km, closing at 9.6 km/s.
Orbit class
ATE
around the Sun
Orbital period
0.73 yr
266 days
Diameter
14 m
about the size of a house
Eccentricity
0.309
orbit shape
Inclination
10.8°
to the ecliptic
Discovered
—
Size in perspective
1.3×2018 RD2 is 1.3× the size of a double-decker bus.
Observe it tonight
Apparent brightness
mag 24.0
Too faint to observe
Right ascension
8h 58m
Declination
−21° 49′
From your location
tap to check ›
2018 RD2 is currently faint (magnitude 24.0) — it brightens around close approaches. Position is in equatorial coordinates (J2000); pair it with our sky conditions to plan a session.
Frequently asked questions
How close does 2018 RD2 come to Earth?
Its next notable close approach is on 2026-Sep-01, when it passes about 19.4 lunar distances from Earth — roughly 7,471,152 km. 2018 RD2 is currently about 49 lunar distances away — the live orbit and distance are shown above.
Is 2018 RD2 going to hit Earth?
No impact is predicted. 2018 RD2 is not on any impact-risk watchlist. Its trajectory is continuously refined as new observations are gathered, and predicted close approaches are calculated decades ahead. Its live position and orbit are shown above.
How big is 2018 RD2?
2018 RD2 is estimated at about 14 m across — about the size of a house. Size estimates are derived from how bright the asteroid appears and refined by radar and thermal measurements when it passes close to Earth.
What kind of orbit does 2018 RD2 have?
2018 RD2 is ATE object. It orbits the Sun once every 0.73 years, on an elliptical path that spends much of its time inside Earth’s orbit. The interactive orbit diagram above shows where it is right now.
Can I see 2018 RD2 through a telescope?
Most of the time 2018 RD2 is far too faint to see, but during a close approach it can brighten enough for amateur telescopes. Check the close-approach date above, then plan your night with our sky and space-weather tools.
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