2025-12-06, 06:55 PM
CNEOS predicts that the recently discovered medium-sized, Apollo class NEA, 2025 WA3 will make a close approach on 2025-Dec-15 21:29±00:09 UT at a distance of 0.02274 AU moving with V Relative=19.40 km/sec, H=20.7 magnitude, diameter 190 m - 420 m and 'Rarity'=2. There is currently a 12 day observation arc, the Condition Code=8 and the Earth MOID=0.00525214 AU. The solution date was 2025-Dec-06 06:32:44 PST. The initial reported observation was by Purple Mountain Observatory, XuYi Station on 2025-11-23. This object is large enough to be on MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download from the MPC using SkyTools. The next predicted close approach is in 2099 at 0.073 AU.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Dec 6 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.19 predicts that 2025 WA3 will reach a peak brightness of 14.7 magnitude around midnight EST on 2025 Dec 13 traveling through Aries at 0.030 AU distant and 42"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Dec 15 1600 EST (2100 UT) with the NEA traveling through Pegasus at 72"/minute and 15.4 magnitude. 2025 WA3 should be brighter than 16 magnitude from Dec 8 in Taurus to Dec 16 in Pegasus. It passes within 0.5 degrees of Aldebaran on 2025 Dec 9 0000 EST (0500 UT) at 15.9 magnitude.
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2025 WA3:
The orbit for this object is still being refined since there is a 9 minute uncertainty in the time of close approach (still better than the several hours a few days ago). Observers should visit the CNEOS website to check on the status of this NEA.
Good hunting,
Phil S.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Dec 6 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.19 predicts that 2025 WA3 will reach a peak brightness of 14.7 magnitude around midnight EST on 2025 Dec 13 traveling through Aries at 0.030 AU distant and 42"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Dec 15 1600 EST (2100 UT) with the NEA traveling through Pegasus at 72"/minute and 15.4 magnitude. 2025 WA3 should be brighter than 16 magnitude from Dec 8 in Taurus to Dec 16 in Pegasus. It passes within 0.5 degrees of Aldebaran on 2025 Dec 9 0000 EST (0500 UT) at 15.9 magnitude.
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2025 WA3:
The orbit for this object is still being refined since there is a 9 minute uncertainty in the time of close approach (still better than the several hours a few days ago). Observers should visit the CNEOS website to check on the status of this NEA.
Good hunting,
Phil S.