2026 NW
2026 NW
Current distance from Earth
5,875,948km
15.3 lunar distances0.039 AU
Heliocentric orbit · top-down · live
Next close approach
2026-Jul-17
Passes 17.3 lunar distances from Earth — about 6,669,267 km, closing at 3.1 km/s.
Orbit class
AMO
around the Sun
Orbital period
1.53 yr
560 days
Diameter
26 m
about the size of a house
Eccentricity
0.214
orbit shape
Inclination
1.1°
to the ecliptic
Discovered
—
Size in perspective
2.4×2026 NW is 2.4× the size of a double-decker bus.
Observe it tonight
Apparent brightness
mag 25.4
Too faint to observe
Right ascension
16h 41m
Declination
−0° 41′
From your location
tap to check ›
2026 NW is currently faint (magnitude 25.4) — 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 2026 NW come to Earth?
Its next notable close approach is on 2026-Jul-17, when it passes about 17.3 lunar distances from Earth — roughly 6,669,267 km. 2026 NW is currently about 15 lunar distances away — the live orbit and distance are shown above.
Is 2026 NW going to hit Earth?
No impact is predicted. 2026 NW 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 2026 NW?
2026 NW is estimated at about 26 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 2026 NW have?
2026 NW is AMO object. It orbits the Sun once every 1.53 years, on an elliptical path that reaches beyond Earth’s orbit and swings back toward the Sun. The interactive orbit diagram above shows where it is right now.
Can I see 2026 NW through a telescope?
Most of the time 2026 NW 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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