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Saturday, 21 March 2026

Asteroids Approaching Earth This Week: NEO PHA Close Approach Report 20-23 March 2026

Astrophyzix Digital Observatory

Near-Earth Object (NEO) Close Approach Report

Observation Window: 20–23 March 2026


NEO Close Approach Infographic

Executive Summary

During the monitoring period spanning 20–23 March 2026, a total of 25 Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) are recorded making close approaches to Earth within a range of 1.54 to 59.76 Lunar Distances (LD).

  • Closest approach: 2026 FU at 1.54 LD
  • Largest object: (2018 YU) at ~444 m diameter
  • Highest velocity: 2022 SR2 at 24.33 km/s
  • Potentially Hazardous Objects (PHAs): 2 identified
  • Impact risk: None detected

All objects remain well within safe margins with no impact probabilities identified by current orbital solutions.


Key Observational Metrics

  • Total Objects Tracked: 25
  • Objects < 10 LD: 6
  • Objects < 5 LD: 4
  • Potentially Hazardous Objects (PHA):
    • 2023 RJ3
    • 2017 RR15

Closest Approach Events (< 5 LD)

Object Date Size (m) Velocity (km/s) Miss Distance
2026 FU22 Mar 2026134.401.54 LD
2026 FS21 Mar 20263715.432.11 LD
2026 FD121 Mar 202684.502.71 LD
2010 RA9122 Mar 2026829.894.67 LD

Assessment:
These approaches remain well outside Earth’s gravitational capture influence. No orbital perturbations of concern are detected.


Mid-Range Approaches (5–20 LD)

  • 2026 FK (6.90 LD)
  • 2026 EE3 (10.13 LD)
  • 2026 ER3 (18.27 LD)
  • 2026 FQ1 (17.77 LD)

Assessment:
Routine flybys consistent with heliocentric orbital dynamics.


Distant Passes (> 20 LD)

  • 2025 FR7 (26.22 LD)
  • 2026 DH3 (26.97 LD)
  • 2026 EM1 (36.95 LD)
  • 2023 RJ3 (52.88 LD)
  • (2018 YU) / 885377 (54.98 LD)
  • 2017 RR15 (59.35 LD)
  • 2009 VT (59.76 LD)

Assessment:
No measurable risk; included for catalog completeness.


Potentially Hazardous Objects (PHA) Analysis

2023 RJ3

  • Diameter: ~269 m
  • Velocity: 16.61 km/s
  • Miss Distance: 52.88 LD

2017 RR15

  • Diameter: ~312 m
  • Velocity: 11.86 km/s
  • Miss Distance: 59.35 LD

Assessment:
Both objects exceed size thresholds but remain far beyond hazard limits with no impact scenarios.


Velocity Distribution

  • Lowest: 4.11 km/s
  • Highest: 24.33 km/s

Size Distribution Overview

  • Small (<20 m): 8
  • Medium (20–100 m): 12
  • Large (>100 m): 5

Risk Assessment

  • Impact Probability: 0
  • Trajectory Stability: High
  • Monitoring: Routine

Conclusion

The observation window represents nominal NEO activity. All recorded objects pose zero threat to Earth.

Data Source

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory — Small-Body Database
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html

Astrophyzix Digital Observatory NEO Monitoring Console

Powered by NASA CNEOS & JPL Small-Body Database | Astrophyzix Digital Observatory


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