Asteroid 2026 HP5 flew past Earth at 0.82 LD on April 26, 2026.

Asteroid 2026 HP5, a near-Earth object, flew past Earth at a minimum distance of 0.82 lunar distances (LD) / 0.00211 AU (315 500 km / 196 058 miles) at 10:33 UTC on April 26, 2026. The asteroid’s relative velocity at close approach was measured at 8.55 km/s.

The estimated size of 2026 HP5, based on its absolute magnitude (H = 28.1), is approximately 8–18 m (26–59 feet) in diameter. This places it in the smaller category of near-Earth asteroids.

2026 HP5 belongs to the Apollo group of asteroids, which are characterized by orbits that cross Earth’s path. According to its orbital parameters, the asteroid has an eccentricity of 0.332, a semi-major axis of 1.28 AU, a perihelion distance of 0.853 AU, and an inclination of 2.48°. These values indicate a moderately eccentric and low-inclination orbit relative to the ecliptic, typical for Apollo-type near-Earth asteroids.

Its physical properties indicate that 2026 HP5 is not classified as a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) due to its size and flyby distance.

The object was first and last observed on April 27, 2026, suggesting a very short observation arc of 1 day. The current orbit solution carries a condition code of 7, indicating that its trajectory is still uncertain or preliminary and may be refined as more data becomes available.

Several other near-Earth objects also passed within 1 lunar distance in April 2026. Asteroid 2026 HZ4 passed at 0.08 LD (11 700 km / 7 270 miles) at 12:13 UTC on April 24, 2026. Asteroid 2026 HZ2 approached at 0.22 LD (32 900 km / 20 445 miles) at 16:31 UTC on April 23, 2026, and asteroid 2026 HB3 passed by at 0.24 LD (36 700 km / 22 800 miles) at 20:12 UTC on April 21, 2026. These objects were also in the small size range and represent typical recent close approaches in near-Earth astronomy.