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Saturday, October 10, 2026 · UTC
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Asteroid 4 Vesta to make closest Earth approach October 9 2026

The Quito Astronomical Observatory has published brightness and viewing details for the large main belt asteroid.

Theo Anand
Science and Earth
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Astronomers track Asteroid 4 Vesta's close approach to Earth
Astronomers track Asteroid 4 Vesta's close approach to Earth AI illustrationhow this picture was made
Asteroid 4 Vesta will reach its closest approach to Earth on October 9, 2026, at a minimum distance of 221.4 million kilometres in the constellation Pisces.[4] The Quito Astronomical Observatory stated the asteroid will reach a magnitude of 6.39 around October 12 2026.[1] It will not be visible to the naked eye. Observation conditions improve after 19:00 using binoculars or small telescopes.[2] 4 Vesta has an approximate diameter of 530 kilometres, and holds nearly 9% of the total mass of the asteroid belt.[6] NASA's Dawn spacecraft orbited the asteroid between 2011 and 2012 to study its early formation.[3] Heinrich Olbers discovered Vesta in 1807. It is the confirmed source of three classes of meteorites recovered on Earth.[5]
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What this stands on
  1. The Quito Astronomical Observatory stated that asteroid 4 Vesta will reach a magnitude of 6.39 around October 12 and 13, 2026. · El Comercio
  2. Although asteroid 4 Vesta is not visible to the naked eye, observation improves after 19:00 using binoculars or small telescopes. · El Comercio
  3. NASA's Dawn spacecraft orbited asteroid 4 Vesta between 2011 and 2012 to investigate its early formation and impact on solar system history. · El Comercio
  4. Asteroid 4 Vesta will reach its closest approach to Earth on October 9, 2026, at a minimum distance of 221.4 million kilometers in the constellation of Pisces. · El Comercio
  5. Asteroid 4 Vesta is the source of Howardite, Eucrite, and Diogenite meteorites found on Earth. · El Comercio
  6. Asteroid 4 Vesta has a diameter of approximately 530 kilometers and concentrates nearly 9% of the total mass of the asteroid belt. · El Comercio
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