Florence
3122 · A large PHA with two tiny moons of its own.
Current distance from Earth
315,963,250km
822.0 lunar distances2.112 AU
Heliocentric orbit · top-down · live
Next close approach
2057-Sep-02
Passes 19.4 lunar distances from Earth — about 7,473,577 km, closing at 13.5 km/s.
Orbit class
Amor
around the Sun
Orbital period
2.35 yr
860 days
Diameter
4.9 km
comparable to a large city district
Eccentricity
0.423
orbit shape
Inclination
22.1°
to the ecliptic
Discovered
1981
Size in perspective
55%Florence is about 55% the size of Mount Everest.
Observe it tonight
Apparent brightness
mag 25.9
Too faint to observe
Right ascension
12h 59m
Declination
−28° 13′
From your location
tap to check ›
Florence is currently faint (magnitude 25.9) — 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 Florence come to Earth?
Its next notable close approach is on 2057-Sep-02, when it passes about 19.4 lunar distances from Earth — roughly 7,473,577 km. Florence is currently about 822 lunar distances away — the live orbit and distance are shown above.
Is Florence going to hit Earth?
No impact is predicted. Florence is classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid, which means its orbit brings it relatively close to Earth — but classification is about proximity, not an impending collision. 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 Florence?
Florence is estimated at about 4.9 km across — comparable to a large city district. 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 Florence have?
Florence is Amor (Earth-approaching) object. It orbits the Sun once every 2.35 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 Florence through a telescope?
Most of the time Florence is far too faint to see, but during a close approach it can brighten enough for amateur telescopes, and the largest near-Earth asteroids occasionally reach binocular range. Check the close-approach date above, then plan your night with our sky and space-weather tools.
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