31221 (1998 BP26) is a mid-sized asteroid whose orbit approaches the orbit of Earth but does not cross it. NASA JPL has classified 1998 BP26 as a "Near Earth Asteroid" due to its orbit's proximity to Earth, but it is not considered potentially hazardous because computer simulations have not indicated any imminent likelihood of future collision.
1998 BP26 orbits the sun every 826 days (2.26 years), coming as close as 1.28 AU and reaching as far as 2.17 AU from the sun. Based on its brightness and the way it reflects light, 1998 BP26 is probably between 0.917 to 2.051 kilometers in diameter, making it larger than 99% of asteroids, very roughly comparable in size to the U.S. Pentagon.
The rotation of 1998 BP26 has been observed. It completes a rotation on its axis every 2.41 hours.
1998 BP26's orbit is 0.29 AU from Earth's orbit at its closest point. This means that there is a 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.
1998 BP26's orbit is determined by observations dating back to Jan. 28, 1998. It was last officially observed on April 27, 2023. The IAU Minor Planet Center records 1,032 observations used to determine its orbit.
The position of 31221 (1998 BP26) 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.
The above comparison is an artistic rendering that uses available data on the diameter of 1998 BP26 to create an approximate landscape rendering with Mount Everest in the background. This approximation is built for full-resolution desktop browsers. Shape, color, and texture of asteroid are imagined.