Asteroid 2026 HF2 flew past Earth at 0.3 LD on April 21, 2026

Asteroid 2026 HF2, a near-Earth object, flew past Earth at a distance of 0.3 lunar distances (LD) or 0.00078 astronomical units (AU), which is approximately 117 000 km (72 700 miles) from the center of the planet, at 05:05 UTC on April 21, 2026. The relative velocity at the moment of closest approach was 18.08 km/s.

The object is estimated to be approximately 10 to 22 m (33 to 72 feet) in diameter, as inferred from its absolute magnitude (H = 27.632).

2026 HF2’s orbit class is Apollo, characterized by Earth-crossing orbits with semi-major axes greater than 1 AU. The asteroid’s orbital eccentricity is 0.245, its semi-major axis is 1.2 AU, and perihelion distance is 0.906 AU. The inclination is 31.5 degrees, indicating a moderately inclined orbit relative to the ecliptic. These orbital parameters align with typical values for Apollo group asteroids.

Based on available data, the asteroid is not classified as potentially hazardous (PHA) due to its size and current trajectory.

2026 HF2 was first observed on April 20, 2026, and last observed on April 21, 2026, resulting in an observation arc of approximately 1 day. Its current orbit solution has a condition code of 7, which signifies that its trajectory is still uncertain or preliminary.

Other recent close approaches within 1 lunar distance include asteroid 2026 HJ, which passed at 0.3 LD (0.00076 AU; roughly 114 000 km / 70 800 miles) at 19:13 UTC on April 19, 2026, with an estimated size around 4 m (13 feet). Asteroid 2026 HX1 also made a close approach at 0.27 LD (0.00070 AU; about 105 000 km / 65 200 miles) at 09:30 UTC on April 16, 2026, with a diameter of about 6 m (20 feet). In addition, asteroid 2013 GM3 flew by at just 0.02 LD (5 200 km / 3 230 miles) at 16:15 UTC on April 14, 2026, with an estimated diameter of 18 to 25 m (60 to 82 feet).