Earth's Temporary Mini-Moon 2026 QQ8 Measures About 2 Meters
The asteroid 2026 QQ8 is orbiting Earth temporarily and is expected to leave the planet's gravitational capture in 2027.
FlyMarshall Newsroom1 min read
Photo: Robert Lea
The Minor Planet Center reported the discovery of 2026 QQ8 on October 29, 2026. The object is described as a temporary natural satellite of Earth, with its departure expected in 2027.
Key details
- QQ8 was first observed in August 2026, after entering orbit around Earth in April 2026.
- Its estimated diameter is about 2 meters.
- Its closest approach to Earth during this temporary capture is about 568,000 kilometers.
- QQ8 takes about 359 days to orbit the Sun.
2026 QQ8 measures about 2 meters across.
Why it matters
QQ8’s solar orbit takes nearly as long as Earth’s, at about 359 days. Its temporary capture gives astronomers an opportunity to track a small natural object while it remains near Earth.
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