2026-02-22, 06:45 PM
CNEOS predicts that the recently discovered NEA, 2026 CU1, will make a close approach on 2026-Feb-26 21:22±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00822 AU moving with V Relative=8.40 km/sec, H=24.5 magnitude, diameter 34 m - 75 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of 2026 Feb 22, there is a 41 day observation arc, the Condition Code=6 and the Earth MOID=0.000387542 AU. The solution date was 2026-Feb-22 05:51:51 PST. The initial reported observation was by Purple Mountain Observatory, XuYi Station on 2026-02-10. The observation arc was extended by observations on 2026-1-11 by Pan-STARRS 2, Haleakala, 2026-1-21&24 by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala and 2026-2-6 by Mt. Lemmon Survey. It's predicted to be 0.016 AU distant on 2111 April 21. This NEA is too small to make the MPC/s list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Feb 22 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that 2026 CU1 will reach peak brightness of 15.3 magnitude on the morning of February 25 (0100 EST, 0600 UT) with the NEA traveling through Leo at 41"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 Feb 26 1600 EST (2100 UT) with the MP traveling through Virgo at 1233.5k km distant, 15.8 magnitude and 87"/minute, but in daylight below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. The close approach should be observable from Australia, weather permitting.
Here's the object Indo dialog for 2026 CU1:
This NEA will pass close by so observers should follow the instructions in the "Important Thread" at the top of this forum section to download the most up-to-date orbital elements for their predictions.
Good hunting,
Phil S.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Feb 22 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that 2026 CU1 will reach peak brightness of 15.3 magnitude on the morning of February 25 (0100 EST, 0600 UT) with the NEA traveling through Leo at 41"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 Feb 26 1600 EST (2100 UT) with the MP traveling through Virgo at 1233.5k km distant, 15.8 magnitude and 87"/minute, but in daylight below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. The close approach should be observable from Australia, weather permitting.
Here's the object Indo dialog for 2026 CU1:
This NEA will pass close by so observers should follow the instructions in the "Important Thread" at the top of this forum section to download the most up-to-date orbital elements for their predictions.
Good hunting,
Phil S.