Near-Earth Object
660096 (1998 SL36
NASA ID: 20660096
660096 (1998 SL36 will pass Earth on 7 October 2026 at a distance of 155.03 lunar distances (LD) - about 59,595,365 km - travelling at 80,845 km/h. Its estimated diameter is between 239 and 535 metres, roughly the size of Ben Nevis (1,345 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
7 October 2026
In 102 days
Miss Distance
155.03 LD
59,595,365 km
155 times the Moon's distance from Earth
Velocity
80,845 km/h
2.9 times the orbital speed of the International Space Station
Est. Diameter
239–535 m
Absolute Magnitude
H = 20.23
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 660096 (1998 SL36 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 660096 (1998 SL36 to Earth between 1902 and 2076, 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.
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 →
