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+--- Thread: Close Approach of 2026 AH17 (/showthread.php?tid=3401)
Close Approach of 2026 AH17 - PMSchu - 2026-02-09
CNEOS predicts that the recently discovered NEA, 2026 AH17, will make a close approach on 2026-Feb-20 22:26±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.02893 AU moving with V Relative=7.30 km/sec, H=23.2 magnitude, diameter 61 m - 140 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of February 9 there is a 29 day observation arc, the Condition Code=6 and the Earth MOID=0.0281808 AU. The solution date was 2026-Feb-09 05:20:16 PST. The initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2026-01-11. This approach is close to the MOID. It's not quite large enough to make the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools. PHAs have absolute magnitude (H) values <22.0 magnitude.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 February 9 0000 UT, ST 4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that 2026 AH17 will reach a peak brightness of 15.7 magnitude on the evening of February 20 at 2300 EST at a distance of 0.029 AU while traveling through Leo at 20"/minute. The close approach is predicted on February 20 at 1700 EST with the object still at 15.7 magnitude and 0.029 AU traveling through Leo at 21"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio.
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2026 AH17:
The orbit for this NEA is pretty well determined, but observers should monitor the CNEOS website to see if the orbit has been refined further. For the most accurate orbital elements, refer to the 'Important Thread' at the top of this forum section for instructions on how to download the most up-to-date elements to your Minor Planet database.
Good hunting,
Phil S.