Overview
- Hungarian astronomer Krisztián Sárneczky first spotted the object on August 20, and the Minor Planet Center reported the discovery on October 29.
- Orbital reconstructions show 2026 QQ8 crossed into Earth’s Hill sphere and became temporarily bound in late April, and astronomers expect it to stay with Earth through December before escaping in 2027.
- Follow-up photometry and astrometry from the University of Hawaii 2.2‑meter telescope and the Lowell Discovery Telescope allowed the Minor Planet Center to confirm the object is natural and not man-made debris.
- The rock is roughly 1 meter (about 3 feet) across, follows an unusual loopy, kidney‑shaped path while bound, and poses no impact danger because objects this small would burn up on entry.
- Temporary captures like 2026 QQ8 are uncommon but known events that give researchers a rare chance to study very small near‑Earth asteroids up close without any immediate threat to people or property.