Near-Earth Object
2026 NT2
NASA ID: 54642785
2026 NT2 will pass Earth on 17 September 2026 at a distance of 16.08 lunar distances (LD) - about 6,182,752 km - travelling at 45,015 km/h. Its estimated diameter is between 209 and 467 metres, roughly the size of The Shard in London (310 m tall). NASA classifies it as a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) - a designation based on size and orbital proximity, not on any predicted impact.
Close Approach Date
17 September 2026
In 44 days
Miss Distance
16.08 LD
6,182,752 km
16 times the Moon's distance from Earth
Velocity
45,015 km/h
1.6 times the orbital speed of the International Space Station
Est. Diameter
209–467 m
Absolute Magnitude
H = 20.523
The brightness measure astronomers use to estimate size
Hazard Classification
Potentially Hazardous
A watch-list label based on size and orbit, not a predicted impact
The real orbit in 3D
The actual path of 2026 NT2 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 →
