2021 RW26

Key Facts

• Categorized as a Mars-crossing Asteroid
• Comparable in size to the U.S. Capitol building
• Not a Near Earth Object
• Not a Potentially Hazardous Object
• See orbit simulation

Overview

2021 RW26 is a very small asteroid with an orbit that crosses the orbit of Mars. NASA JPL has not classified 2021 RW26 as potentially hazardous because its orbit does not bring it close to Earth.

2021 RW26 orbits the sun every 888 days (2.43 years), coming as close as 1.54 AU and reaching as far as 2.07 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 2021 RW26 is probably between 0.282 to 0.631 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 90% of asteroids but tiny compared to large asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. Capitol building.

No Close Approaches

2021 RW26's orbit is 0.61 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a very wide berth between this asteroid and Earth at all times.

Orbital simulations conducted by NASA JPL's CNEOS do not show any close approaches to Earth.

Images and Observations

2021 RW26's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Sept. 8, 2021. It was last officially observed on Nov. 10, 2021. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 37 observations used to determine its orbit.

Accessibility and Exploration

This asteroid is not considered a viable target for human exploration by the NHATS study.

Similar Objects

These objects have orbits that share similar characteristics to the orbit of 2021 RW26:

• 2074 Shoemaker (1974 UA)
• 3309 Brorfelde (1982 BH)
• 5869 Tanith (1988 VN4)

References

• JPL Small Body Database
• Mission Design
• Sky Finder Chart

Orbit Simulation

Sky Map

The position of 2021 RW26 is indicated by a ◯ pink circle. Note that the object may not be in your current field of view. Use the controls below to adjust position, location, and time.

Size Rendering

The below comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of 2021 RW26 to create an approximate landscape rendering with New York City in the background. This approximation is built for full-resolution desktop browsers. Shape, color, and texture of asteroid are imagined.