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Near-Earth Object

2021 LW3

NASA ID: 54158069

Safe

2021 LW3 will pass Earth on 10 June 2027 at a distance of 29.42 lunar distances (LD) - about 11,308,188 km - travelling at 33,008 km/h. Its estimated diameter is between 65 and 145 metres, roughly the size of a football pitch (around 105 m long). NASA does not classify it as potentially hazardous.

Close Approach Date

10 June 2027

In 354 days

Miss Distance

29.42 LD

11,308,188 km

Moon PHA limit

29 times the Moon's distance from Earth

Velocity

33,008 km/h

ISS

1.2 times the orbital speed of the International Space Station

Est. Diameter

65–145 m

Absolute Magnitude

H = 23.07

The brightness measure astronomers use to estimate size

Hazard Classification

Not Hazardous

The real orbit in 3D

The actual path of 2021 LW3 around the Sun, computed from JPL orbital elements. Drag to rotate, scroll to zoom, and use the time controls to run the orbit forwards or back.

Every recorded pass

Each dot is one close approach of 2021 LW3 to Earth between 1903 and 2086, from JPL's records. Lower means closer: a dot under the dashed line passed nearer than the Moon. The orange dot is the approach on this page.

1900 1925 1950 1975 2000 2025 2050 2075 1 LDMoon's orbit 10 LD today 6 Jun 1903 - 31.54 LD6 Jun 1906 - 5.48 LD7 Jun 1909 - 11.69 LD9 Jun 1912 - 31.32 LD6 Jun 1965 - 16.29 LD6 Jun 1968 - 4.68 LD9 Jun 1971 - 24.44 LD6 Jun 2018 - 30.96 LD6 Jun 2021 - 6.62 LD6 Jun 2024 - 9.65 LD10 Jun 2027 - 29.42 LD (this approach)6 Jun 2077 - 35.01 LD6 Jun 2080 - 11.86 LD7 Jun 2083 - 6.15 LD9 Jun 2086 - 27.11 LD Close approach date Miss distance (LD, log scale)

Size Comparison

Asteroid 65–145 m Football pitch 105 m long

Reading the Numbers

  • A lunar distance (LD) is the average gap between Earth and the Moon, about 384,400 km. It is the standard yardstick for close approaches. Read more →
  • Diameter estimates come from brightness. A dark surface reflects less light than a bright one, so the true size can sit anywhere in the quoted range. Read more →
  • Potentially hazardous is a watch-list label based on size and orbital proximity. It does not mean an impact is expected. Read more →

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