Abstract
The near-Earth asteroid (2018 UY) will make a close but non-threatening passage of Earth on 20 January 2026 as part of its regular sequence of planetary encounters. Classified as an Apollo-type Near-Earth Asteroid and a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid due to its orbital geometry, 2018 UY poses no impact risk during this flyby.
The event provides an opportunity for continued orbital refinement and observational follow-up, particularly given the object’s well-constrained trajectory based on more than a decade of astrometric data. Although the asteroid’s designation reflects its proximity to Earth’s orbit rather than imminent danger, monitoring encounters such as this contributes to long-term planetary defense efforts and improves statistical understanding of small near-Earth asteroid populations.
Key Facts
- Designation: 2018 UY
- Asteroid class: Apollo Type near earth asteroid
- Estimated size: Comparable to a football field*
- Closest documented Earth flyby: 2,849,156 km on July 12, 2023
- Classification: Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA)
- Classification: Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA)
- Orbit visualization: Interactive orbit simulation available
Object Summary
- 2018 UY is a small asteroid whose orbit intersects Earth’s orbital region
- Classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid due to orbital proximity, not impact prediction
- Orbits the Sun every 510 days (1.40 years)
- Perihelion distance: 0.59 AU
- Aphelion distance: 1.91 AU
- Estimated diameter range based on brightness and reflectivity
Orbital Elements
- Epoch: 2460200.5 JD
- Semi-major axis: 1.249 AU
- Eccentricity: 0.5316
- Inclination: 1.75°
- Longitude of Ascending Node: 72.44°
- Argument of Periapsis: 114.62°
- Mean Anomaly: 84.97°
Orbital Relationship With Earth
- Minimum Orbit Intersection Distance (MOID): ~0.01 AU
- Small orbital separation explains PHA classification
Other Predicted Close Approaches
- July 4, 2030: 21,314,900 km at 12.325 km/s
- Dec. 25, 2032: 18,153,743 km at 12.798 km/s
- Dec. 17, 2039: 7,442,839 km at 17.933 km/s
- July 20, 2062: 23,929,724 km at 21.123 km/s
- July 8, 2069: 12,616,144 km at 14.032 km/s
- Dec. 27, 2071: 21,858,757 km at 12.021 km/s
- Dec. 13, 2078: 20,109,117 km at 20.494 km/s
- July 20, 2094: 23,403,616 km at 21.030 km/s
- July 9, 2101: 12,772,678 km at 14.019 km/s
- Dec. 29, 2103: 23,758,131 km at 11.650 km/s
- Dec. 19, 2110: 5,287,460 km at 17.496 km/s
- July 11, 2140: 7,797,858 km at 15.027 km/s
- Dec. 31, 2142: 26,951,972 km at 11.003 km/s
- Dec. 15, 2149: 18,559,886 km at 20.197 km/s
- July 18, 2165: 13,933,396 km at 19.133 km/s
- Dec. 21, 2174: 1,941,594 km at 16.764 km/s
- July 11, 2190: 10,351,160 km at 14.503 km/s
- Dec. 25, 2192: 13,324,220 km at 13.771 km/s
Physical Characteristics
- Estimated diameter: ~0.243 km
- Absolute magnitude (H): 20.75
Derived Characteristics
- Orbital period: 510 days (1.40 years)
- Average orbital speed: 26.64 km/s
- Perihelion distance: 0.59 AU
- Aphelion distance: 1.91 AU
Observations and Data Coverage
- First recorded observation: November 11, 2007
- Most recent confirmed observation: July 29, 2023
- Total observations used: 181
- Data source: IAU Minor Planet Center
Mission Accessibility
- Not listed as a viable target in NASA’s NHATS study
- Orbital characteristics limit crewed mission feasibility
Comparable Near-Earth Objects
- 1620 Geographos (1951 RA)
- 10115 (1992 SK)
- 137052 Tjelvar (1998 VO33)