Near-Earth Object
2026 HG3
NASA ID: 54609801
2026 HG3 will pass Earth on 22 January 2027 at a distance of 69.96 lunar distances (LD) - about 26,892,328 km - travelling at 19,060 km/h. Its estimated diameter is between 7 and 16 metres, roughly the size of a double-decker bus (around 11 m long). NASA does not classify it as potentially hazardous.
Close Approach Date
22 January 2027
In 125 days
Miss Distance
69.96 LD
26,892,328 km
70 times the Moon's distance from Earth
Velocity
19,060 km/h
0.7 times the orbital speed of the International Space Station
Est. Diameter
7–16 m
Absolute Magnitude
H = 27.83
The brightness measure astronomers use to estimate size
Hazard Classification
Not Hazardous
The real orbit in 3D
The actual path of 2026 HG3 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.
Size Comparison
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 →
