diff --git a/CHANGES.rst b/CHANGES.rst
index e4826a12a..894adc04a 100644
--- a/CHANGES.rst
+++ b/CHANGES.rst
@@ -69,6 +69,8 @@ tweakreg
 --------
 - Remove unnecessary global variable ALIGN_TO_ABS_REFCAT. [#1314]
 
+- Update default absolute separation for tweakreg.  [#1352]
+
 
 0.15.1 (2024-05-15)
 ===================
diff --git a/romancal/tweakreg/tweakreg_step.py b/romancal/tweakreg/tweakreg_step.py
index b1aa01708..080486d99 100644
--- a/romancal/tweakreg/tweakreg_step.py
+++ b/romancal/tweakreg/tweakreg_step.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ class TweakRegStep(RomanStep):
         abs_searchrad = float(default=6.0) # The search radius in arcsec for a match when performing absolute astrometry
         # We encourage setting this parameter to True. Otherwise, xoffset and yoffset will be set to zero.
         abs_use2dhist = boolean(default=True) # Use 2D histogram to find initial offset when performing absolute astrometry?
-        abs_separation = float(default=0.1) # Minimum object separation in arcsec when performing absolute astrometry
+        abs_separation = float(default=1.0) # Minimum object separation in arcsec when performing absolute astrometry
         abs_tolerance = float(default=0.7) # Matching tolerance for xyxymatch in arcsec when performing absolute astrometry
         # Fitting geometry when performing absolute astrometry
         abs_fitgeometry = option('shift', 'rshift', 'rscale', 'general', default='rshift')