2026-03-12, 05:26 PM
CNEOS predicts that the newly-discovered Aten-class NEA, 2026 EE2 made a close approach on 2026-Mar-12 16:07±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00558 AU, moving with V Relative=7.30 km/sec, H=24.4 magnitude, diameter 35 m - 78 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of March 12, there is a 2 day observation arc, the Condition Code=5 and the Earth MOID=0.00393894 AU. The solution date was 2026-Mar-12 00:22:20 PDT. The initial reported observation was by ATLAS South Africa, Sutherland on 2026-03-10. This NEA is too small to make the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools. This object won't be this close for 100 years. It will make another close approach on 2026-Sep-29 14:40 ± 04:28 UT at a nominal distance of 0.1846 AU.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Mar 12 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that 2026 EE2 will reach a peak brightness of 14.0 magnitude on 2026 March 13 at 0200 EDT (0600 UT) at a distance of 913.2k km traveling through Virgo at 91.5"/minute. Close approach was predicted on 2026 March 12 at 1200 EDT (1600 UT) at a distance of 835.6k km traveling through Hydra at 109"/minute and 14.4 magnitude, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. This MP is predicted to remain brighter than 16 magnitude through March 14 in Canes Venatici.
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2026 EE2:
Since this object will pass close by, observers should follow the directions in the "Important Thread" at the top of this Forum section for instructions to download orbital elements elements from JPL's HORIZONS website for the most accurate orbital elements.
Good hunting,
Phil S.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Mar 12 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that 2026 EE2 will reach a peak brightness of 14.0 magnitude on 2026 March 13 at 0200 EDT (0600 UT) at a distance of 913.2k km traveling through Virgo at 91.5"/minute. Close approach was predicted on 2026 March 12 at 1200 EDT (1600 UT) at a distance of 835.6k km traveling through Hydra at 109"/minute and 14.4 magnitude, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. This MP is predicted to remain brighter than 16 magnitude through March 14 in Canes Venatici.
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2026 EE2:
Since this object will pass close by, observers should follow the directions in the "Important Thread" at the top of this Forum section for instructions to download orbital elements elements from JPL's HORIZONS website for the most accurate orbital elements.
Good hunting,
Phil S.