There is a possible bright close approach of the Apollo-class NEA, 2017 TE2, on 2026 Oct 1 ~1500 EDT (1900 UT) at a distance of 826.1k km moving through Aquila at 207"/minute and 14.8 magnitude, but in daylight as seen from Columbus, Ohio. Peak brightness is 14.2 magnitude on the evening of 2026 Oct 1-2 with the NEA traveling through Delphinus, Equuleus and into Pegasus at ~165-150"/minute. ST4.1.11.22 Visual Pro used MPC's elements for the epoch 2026 Sep 23 0000 UT.

This NEA is not listed as a close approach by CNEOS or MPC, but is listed by astro.vanbuitenen.nl on 2026 Oct 1 at 0.006 AU and 14.8 mag. The CNEOS Orbit Viewer shows 0.033 AU on 2026 Sep 28 0000 UT (Epoch 2458040.5 (2017-Oct-14.0) TDB) with a solution date 2023-Mar-01 06:04:42 Pacific Time.

Here's the Object Info for 2017 TE2:    

As the time of close approach nears, the pros may recover 2017 TE2 and refine the orbit further. CNEOS lists a Condition Code=8 with a 20 day observation arc from 2017-10-3 to 2017-10-23.

I'll provide an update nearer to the close approach. Hopefully it's spotted before close approach as it's currently in the sun's glare..

Phil S.

Previously I used ST4 for planning and getting observing lists, which I used with printed charts at my scope. But last night, I decided to use ST4 for my observing. Having the naked eye view, the finder view, and the eyepiece view all on the screen, along with the suggested context method of star hopping, made it pretty easy to find objects and log impressions while fresh in my mind. I never had use for my red flashlight.

I did not use all the advised methods of screen reddening, but mine were good enough. See screenshot.     

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered Apollo-class, NEA, 2026 RG15, will make a close approach on 2026-Sep-15 07:36±01:23 UT at a distance of 0.00063 AU moving with V Relative=9.13 km/sec, H=25.8 magnitude, diameter 19 m - 42 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of September 13 there is only a 0.8 day observation arc, the Condition Code=8 and the Earth MOID=0.000229139 AU. The solution date was 2026-Sep-13 05:23:30 PDT. The initial reported observation was by ATLAS Chile, Rio Hurtado on 2026-09-12.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Sep 13 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.21 Visual Pro predicts that 2026 RG15 will reach a peak brightness of 13.8 magnitude on September 15 at ~0200 EDT (0600 UT) at a distance of 113.8k km traveling through Scorpius at 13.5 "/second, but below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio (40°N). Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 September 15 at 0400 EDT (0800 UT) with the NEA traveling through Libra at 14.6 magnitude and 17"/second, but still below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. This object will be best observed from the southern hemisphere, weather permitting.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2026 RG15:     

Since the observation arc for this newly discovered object is currently shorter than one day, the orbit is still very uncertain. Observers should refer to the directions in the "Important Threads" post at the top of this forum section for instructions on downloading the most recent orbital elements from the HORIZONS system accessible through CNEOS. Hopefully another night of observations will improve the accuracy sufficiently to find it.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I can create the SkySafari export from SkyTools 4 without any problem, but I am stuck on what to do with the file afterward.
The export appears to be created correctly and I can see the files on my computer, but I cannot figure out the proper way to get that list into SkySafari on my iPad. Do I need to transfer the file through the Apple Files app, connect the iPad to my PC, or use another method?
I have searched through the SkyTools 4 help and tried looking for instructions, but I still cannot find a clear step by step explanation for the final part of the process. If anyone has done this recently, could you explain how you transferred fnf the exported observing list into SkySafari?

The small Aten-class NEA, 2026 RW1 entered the atmosphere on 2026 Sep 6 1607 UTC over the Indian Ocean. Here's an article describing the event:

https://watchers.news/2026/09/07/asteroi...-impactor/

ST4.1.11.21 predicted a peak brightness of 14.8 magnitude at 12.91k km distance at 1200 EDT(1600 UTC).

Phil S.

What star catalogue is used for the stars that use identifiers like   j003742.2-324244?

It is a star that is in the ring of the Cartwheel galaxy. It comes up as a GSC nonstar in some other software.


Kenneth Drake

Seems like there should be an export option to create a file of an observing list that I can transfer to an Argo Navis user catalog using the Argonaut software but I can't find it. I would like to use ST4 to create lists but use Argo Navis to supply push-to instructions, instead of SkyTools. I find that the light from my laptop impairs my dark adaptation and find the cable between the laptop and telescope annoying.

Does such an option exist?

Jon

CNEOS predicts that the large, Apollo-class, NEA 2017 BP31, will make a close approach on 2026-Aug-28 23:43±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.02860 AU moving with V Relative=20.45 km/sec, H=19.8 magnitude, diameter 290 m - 640 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of 2023 Oct 15 there was a 2451 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0231043 AU. The solution date was 2023-Oct-15 06:50:05 PDT. Initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2017-01-27. This NEA is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools. There will be another close approach on 2091-Mar-10 11:28± 03:03 UT at 0.02312 AU very close to the MOID value.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Aug 23 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.21 Visual Pro predicts that 2017 BP31 will reach a peak brightness of 14.6 magnitude on August 30 at 0200 EDT (0600 UT) at a distance of 0.032 AU traveling through Indus at 46.6"/minute, but below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio (40°N). The close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 Aug 28@2000 EDT (Aug 29 0000 UT) with the object 0.029 AU distant traveling through Chamaeleon at 15 magnitude and 58"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus. This is a southern hemisphere object, weather permitting.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2017 BP31:    

Since the orbit of this NEA is well defined, the orbital elements provided by the MPC should yield accurate positions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the large, Apollo-class, NEA, (221455) 2006 BC10, will make a close approach on 2026-Aug-28 15:47±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.02396 AU moving with V Relative=19.00 km/sec, H=19.5 magnitude, diameter 330 m - 740 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of 2026 Jan 22, there is a 7303 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.00575443 AU. The solution date was 2026-Jan-22 05:49:02 PST. Discovered 2006-01-23 by Spacewatch at Kitt Peak This NEA is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can downlosd using SkyTools.
The next close approach to earth on 2052-Mar-19 04:02 ± 00:02 (TDB) will be close to the Earth MOID at 0.00783 AU. Unfortunately the osculating orbital elements available now don't give accurate positions that far in the future.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Aug 4 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.21 Visual Pro predicts that (221455) 2006 BC10 will reach a peak brightness of 13.8 magnitude on 2026 Aug 29 at 2300 EDT traveling through Telescopium at 0.029 AU distant and 44"/minute, but on the horizon as seen from Columbus, Ohio (40°N). Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 Aug 28 at 1200 EDT (1600 UT) with the NEA 0.024 AU distant traveling through Norma at 14.4 magnitude and 66"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus. This object will be best observed from the southern hemisphere. It should be visible in a 13" telescope from 40°N from August 30 (in Microscopium) to September 8 (in Aquarius).

Here's the Object Info dialog for (221455) 2006 BC10:     

The orbit for this object is well defined, so the orbital elements available from MPC should yield accurate positions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the large, Apollo-class, NEA, (523609) 2005 PJ2, will make a close approach on 2026-Aug-27 02:01±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.04731 AU moving with V Relative=22.75 km/sec, H=19.5 magnitude, diameter 330 m - 740 m and 'Rarity'=1. There is currently a 7697 day observation arc , the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0444611 AU. The solution date was 2026-Aug-23 06:50:16 PDT. Discovered 2005-08-04 by NEAT at Palomar This object is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools. There will be another close approach on 2085-Aug-27 12:10±<00:01 UT at 0.04801 AU.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Aug 23 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.21 Visual Pro predicts that (523609) 2005 PJ2 will reach a peak brightness of 15.3 magnitude on the morning of 25 August with the NEA traveling through Andromeda at ~30"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 Aug 26@2200 EDT with the NEA 0.047 AU distant traveling through Cepheus at 40"/minute and 15.7 magnitude. It will also be visible in Pegasus on the morning of August 24.

Here's the Object Info dialog for (523609) 2005 PJ2:    

The orbit for this NEA is well defined and the distance is >0.04 AU so the positions predicted by MPC's orbital elements should be accurate.

Good hunting,

Phil S.