Asteroid 2026 JO will fly past Earth at 0.35 LD on May 9, 2026.

Asteroid 2026 JO will fly past Earth at a minimum distance of 0.35 lunar distances, equivalent to 0.00089 AU (approximately 133 600 km / 83 044 miles) from the center of our planet at 05:04 UTC on May 9, 2026. The relative velocity at the time of closest approach is calculated at 13.66 km/s.

Based on its absolute magnitude (H = 28.088), asteroid 2026 JO is estimated to measure between 9 m and 21 m (roughly 30 to 69 feet) in diameter. This estimate is based on general assumptions for near-Earth object albedo and should be refined with further observations.

2026 JO belongs to the Apollo class of near-Earth asteroids, characterized by orbits that cross the Earth’s path. Its orbit exhibits an eccentricity of 0.462, a semi-major axis of 1.43 AU, and a perihelion distance of 0.773 AU. The orbital inclination is 5.8°, indicating a moderate tilt relative to the ecliptic plane.

No albedo data are currently available for this object, and it is not classified as potentially hazardous. This is based on its size and calculated possible impact energy.

Asteroid 2026 JO was first and last observed on May 8, 2026, indicating an observation arc of less than one day. Its orbit carries a condition code of 6, suggesting the solution is uncertain or preliminary and subject to revision as new astrometric data are acquired.

Several other near-Earth objects have recently passed within one lunar distance of Earth. Notably, asteroid 2026 HZ4 passed at 0.08 LD (12 000 km / 7 456 miles) at 12:13 UTC on April 24, 2026; asteroid 2026 HZ2 passed at 0.22 LD (32 900 km / 20 437 miles) at 16:31 UTC on April 23, 2026; and asteroid 2026 HB3 passed at 0.24 LD (36 800 km / 22 876 miles) at 20:12 UTC on April 21, 2026. These objects, based on their absolute magnitude, are also in the small size range typical of recent close-approaching near-Earth asteroids.