Earth’s Slender Neighbor from the Sky
Abstract
Floating through the inner Solar System with the grace of an orbital dancer, asteroid 2340 Hathor is a fascinating space rock that has captured astronomers’ attention since the mid-1970s. Named after an ancient goddess yet rooted in modern science, Hathor embodies the intersection of myth, celestial mechanics, and planetary defense.
While it poses no imminent danger, Hathor is notable for an upcoming close approach to Earth on 17 January 2026, an event that has placed it firmly back on astronomers’ observation schedules.
Discovery and Naming
2340 Hathor was first spotted on 22 October 1976 by astronomer Charles T. Kowal at the Palomar Observatory in California. Its discovery was swiftly confirmed independently by multiple observers, including Eleanor Helin and William Lawrence Sebok, due to the asteroid’s unusually close trajectory to Earth at that time.
In keeping with a tradition for naming Aten-class asteroids after Egyptian deities, scientists christened this object Hathor after the ancient Egyptian sky-goddess known for joy, love, and motherhood—melding human culture with celestial naming
What Kind of Asteroid Is Hathor?
Hathor belongs to the Aten group of asteroids. These are Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) whose orbits lie mostly inside Earth’s orbit but still intersect it, making them of special interest for both science and safety monitoring. Due to its orbit that brings it relatively close to Earth, Hathor is also classified as a Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (PHA).
Orbital Dance Around the Sun
Hathor’s path is eye-catchingly eccentric. Here’s how it moves:
- Orbital distance: It swings between about 0.46 AU (perihelion, closest to the Sun) and 1.22 AU (aphelion, farthest from the Sun).
- Orbital period: One lap around the Sun takes about 283 days—a bit shorter than Earth’s year.
- Orbit inclination: The orbit tilts roughly 5.9° relative to Earth’s.
- Minimum Earth distance (MOID): Its orbit can approach within about 0.0069 AU of Earth’s orbit—roughly 2.7 times the distance to the Moon—a key measure used by scientists to assess potential close passes.
These orbital characteristics put Hathor on astronomers’ must-watch lists for long-term tracking, not because it’s currently on a collision course, but because its orbit crosses Earth’s path and thus merits monitoring.
Size, Spin, and Surface
Despite its intriguing orbit, Hathor is small by cosmic standards:
- Diameter: Roughly 210 meters (give or take ~30 m)—about the size of two football fields laid end-to-end.
- Rotation: It spins fairly rapidly, completing a rotation every 3.35 hours.
- Reflectivity (albedo): Observations suggest a significant surface reflectivity (albedo) of about 0.33, which helps refine size estimates.
- Composition: Spectral data place Hathor in types associated with stony, silicate-rich asteroids—objects common among inner Solar System rocks.
Close Encounters and Monitoring
Hathor isn’t on a collision course with Earth at present, but its orbit periodically brings it notably close. For example:
On 17 January 2026, asteroid 2340 Hathor will make a notable close approach to Earth, passing at a safe distance well beyond the Moon’s orbit. While this flyby presents no impact risk, it is close enough in astronomical terms to warrant careful tracking and refined orbital measurements.
- In 2014 it made a distant pass at about 0.048 AU from Earth.
- It’s forecast to come within about 0.00658 AU in October 2069, another close approach worth careful observation.
Such passages aren’t cause for alarm, but they give researchers an opportunity to refine models of its orbit and physical properties—especially using radar and optical tracking during encounters.
Why 2340 Hathor Matters
Hathor may be modest in size, but its scientific value is notable:
- Understanding hazardous asteroids: As a PHA, tracking it helps refine planetary defense methods and orbital prediction techniques.
- Astronomy at work: Observations of its rotation and composition contribute to broader knowledge of asteroid populations and the early Solar System.
- Cultural connection: Its name connects modern celestial science with humanity’s ancient storytelling traditions, reminding us that the cosmos has always inspired us.
