Asteroid Tracker
← Back to dashboard

Near-Earth Object

2022 AP1

NASA ID: 54235525

Safe

2022 AP1 will pass Earth on 31 December 2026 at a distance of 40.47 lunar distances (LD) - about 15,556,933 km - travelling at 49,985 km/h. Its estimated diameter is between 6 and 12 metres, roughly the size of a double-decker bus (around 11 m long). NASA does not classify it as potentially hazardous.

Close Approach Date

31 December 2026

In 190 days

Miss Distance

40.47 LD

15,556,933 km

Moon PHA limit

40 times the Moon's distance from Earth

Velocity

49,985 km/h

ISS

1.8 times the orbital speed of the International Space Station

Est. Diameter

6–12 m

Absolute Magnitude

H = 28.39

The brightness measure astronomers use to estimate size

Hazard Classification

Not Hazardous

The real orbit in 3D

The actual path of 2022 AP1 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 2022 AP1 to Earth between 1932 and 2098, 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.

1925 1950 1975 2000 2025 2050 2075 2100 1 LDMoon's orbit 10 LD today 2 Jan 1932 - 7.32 LD20 Feb 1977 - 12.17 LD1 Jan 1982 - 6.53 LD15 Jan 1989 - 26.89 LD8 Feb 1996 - 29.12 LD21 Feb 2003 - 12.58 LD24 Feb 2010 - 19.62 LD1 Jan 2015 - 17.55 LD2 Jan 2022 - 0.47 LD23 Feb 2034 - 31.39 LD17 Feb 2039 - 17.62 LD6 Jan 2049 - 14.28 LD31 Dec 2053 - 26.76 LD23 Feb 2061 - 35.96 LD17 Feb 2066 - 18.51 LD4 Jan 2076 - 5.41 LD30 Dec 2080 - 29.2 LD22 Feb 2093 - 22.32 LD18 Feb 2098 - 16.29 LD Close approach date Miss distance (LD, log scale)

Size Comparison

Asteroid 6–12 m Double-decker bus 11 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 →

Recommended stargazing gear

Full guide →

This section contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Celestron 21023 Cometron 76mm Firstscope
Telescope

Celestron 21023 Cometron 76mm Firstscope

View on Amazon
Celestron 22016 Firstscope Robert Reeves Signature Edition 76mm Dobsonian
Telescope

Celestron 22016 Firstscope Robert Reeves Signature Edition 76mm Dobsonian

View on Amazon
SkyWatcher StarQuest-130P 130mm f/5 Parabolic Newtonian Reflector
Telescope

SkyWatcher StarQuest-130P 130mm f/5 Parabolic Newtonian Reflector

View on Amazon
Celestron UpClose G2 10×50 Porro Binoculars
Binoculars

Celestron UpClose G2 10×50 Porro Binoculars

View on Amazon
Celestron SkyMaster 15×70mm Porro Prism Binoculars
Binoculars

Celestron SkyMaster 15×70mm Porro Prism Binoculars

View on Amazon
Turn Left at Orion
Book

Turn Left at Orion

View on Amazon
2026 Guide to the Night Sky: Britain and Ireland
Book

2026 Guide to the Night Sky: Britain and Ireland

View on Amazon
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
Book

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

View on Amazon
Philip's Planisphere Latitude 51.5 North
Planisphere

Philip's Planisphere Latitude 51.5 North

View on Amazon