I missed the close approach of this kilometer-sized Aten class NEO, (2100) Ra-Shalom, on 2025-Aug-12 15:42±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.17290 AU moving with V Relative=12.22 km/sec,  H=16.2 magnitude, diameter 2.3±0.2 km and 'Rarity'=1. As of August 24 there is a  18222 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.15004 AU. The solution date was 2025-Aug-24 06:51:49 PDT. This NEO was discovered 1978-09-10 by Helin, E. F. at Palomar.

It's currently 14.7 magnitude and fading slowly traveling through Sagitta at 5"/minute. It is predicted to remain brighter than 16 magnitude through 2025 Sep 15 when it will be in Aquila.

Here's the Object Info dialog for (2100) Ra-Shalom:    

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Mark your calendars minor planet hunters!

CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, 2025 FA22, will make a close approach on 2025-Sep-18 07:42±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00563 AU moving with V Relative=10.79 km/sec, H=21.6 magnitude, diameter 120 m - 280 m and 'Rarity'=3. As of 2025 Jul 24, there was a 4892 day observation arc, the  Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.00173467 AU. The solution date was 2025-Jul-24 08:34:04 PDT. The initial observation was by Pan-STARRS 2, Haleakala on 2025 03 29. The observation arc was extended by additional observations by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2012 02 26, 2012 11 01 and 2014 03 12. This NEO is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs).

Using MPC's elements for 2025 Aug 14 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.16 Visual Pro predicts that this NEO will reach a peak brightness of 13.2 magnitude on Sep 18 at 2300 EDT (Sep 19 0300 UT) traveling through Taurus at 90"/minute near the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Close apoproach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Sep 18 at 0400 EDT (0800 UT) with 2025 FA22 predicted to be 14 magnitude traveling through Orion at 160"/minute.

I'll post an update closer to the date of the close approach.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I'm using Sky tools 4 with windows 11 and I am trying to connect it to a Celestron CPC 1100 using a serial port connection. When I hit connect to scope it says telescope connected and immediately gives me a sky tools has performed a fatal error and shuts down. can you help me?

CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, 1997 QK1, will make a close approach on 2025-Aug-20 10:25±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.02013 AU moving with V Relative=9.83 km/sec, H=20.3 magnitude, diameter 240 m - 530 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of 2025 Jun 20, there is a 10159 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0, and the Earth MOID=0.0168972 AU. The solution date was 2025-Jun-20 06:47:42 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Maunakea on 1997-08-27. This NEO is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). The next close approach to Earth on 2039-Jul-11 09:30± 00:03 UT at a distance of 0.01586 AU is closer than the current Earth MOID.

Using elements downloaded from Lowell (ASTORB) on 2025 Aug 1 for the epoch 2025 Aug 13 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.16 Visual Pro predicts that 1997 QK1 will reach a peak brightness of 15.5 magnitude on the morning of 2025 Aug 23 when the NEO will be traveling through Cassiopeia at 24"/minute. Close approach (to the nearest hour) is predicted on 2025 Aug 20 at 0600 EDT (1000 UT) with the NEO 0.02 AU distant  traveling through Draco at 41"/minute in twilight as seen from Columbus, Ohio. This NEO should be brighter than 16 magnitude from August 21 (in Camelopardalis) to August 26 (in Andromeda).

Here's the Object Info dialog for 1997 QK1:    

The orbit for this MP is well defined and doesn't come too close, but observers should still use orbital elements close to their time of observation for the most accurate positions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, 2025 OW, will make a close approach on 2025-Jul-28 19:42±00:17 UT at a distance of 0.00423 AU moving with V Relative=20.97 km/sec, H=23.6 magnitude, diameter 51 m - 110 m and 'Rarity'=2. The Condition Code=8 so the orbit still needs some refinement.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Jul 22 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.15 Visual Pro predicts that 2025 OW will reach a maximum brightness of 14.8 magnitude in Hercules on 2025 Jul 28 1000 EDT (1400 UT).

I'll post an update in a few days after the orbit's been further refined. Just wanted to provide a heads up.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I want to create a chart showing visibility of selected objects.

Y axis object. X axis time, with midnight in the center.

For selected objects, a bar showing visibility. i.e. the bar starts at rise time and ends at set time.

Tom Dean

I do not know where this belongs, but, it is sort of a beginners question.

I do Astronomy because I enjoy it. It is hobby. I have been at it for a dozen years, or so.

I had a Meade 8" SCT and iOptron CEM60EC plus associated lenses, etc.,  and a Cannon EOS 60Da.
I did a combination of visual observing and imaging with varying degrees of success. But, I had a lot of fun.
I used ST3/4 for planning, APT, skychart, BYEOS, PHD2, and platesolve3 for imaging.

Due to advancing age, I have to downsize. I have not kept up with advances in hardware.

I have ST4, both visual and imaging.

ST4 can control the telescope, slew and sync. How do I fold image and platesolve into this?

I have a AT65EDQ OTA and a iOptron CEM25EC and some Nagler lenses.

I want to add a camera for EAA with the provision to upgrade the AT654EDQ to a 102mm scope. For now, I want a cooled camera which includes a guide scope.

I am thinking of a ZWO ASI2600MM Duo camera. Will this work with the AT65EDQ, assuming I can find the adapters? I don't know about telescope output diameter.

If I buy the ZWO, what OTA should I look for, assuming I will upgrade?

Tom Dean

What I want to do: Understand why a generated target list of minor planets between mag 14 and 16 using Database Power Search produced 53 results but only 5 are between RA 13h – 22h (basically the current summer sky). Seems an unlikely distribution. The “bright” MPC list was the source file and only filters were an observing date of July 10, 2025, mag 14 – 16, and main/outer belt asteroids. Other sources (CdC, C2A) reveal dozens of asteroids meeting those criteria and about the same density in Scorpius, Sagittarius, and Libra as Orion and Taurus. What am I missing? Thanks in advance.

CNEOS predicts that the large NEO, (35107) 1991 VH, will make a close approach on 2025-Aug-02 03:26±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.07814 AU moving with V Relative=8.67 km/sec, H=16.9 magnitude, diameter 0.929±0.035 km and 'Rarity'=2. As of 2025 Jul 12, there is a 12298 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0255746 AU. The solution date was 2025-Jul-12 06:17:47 PDT. This NEO was discovered at Siding Spring on 1991-11-09 by R. H. McNaught. It is on MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). Close approaches in August 2065 and 2088 are predicted at ~0.045 AU. Interestingly, this NEO has a satellite, S/1997 (35107) 1.

Using MPC's elements for 2025 Jul 12 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.15 predicts that this NEO will reach a broad peak in brightness of 15.0 magnitude traveling at ~8"/minute from July 20 through July 30 from Cassiopeia to Perseus, Andromeda and back into Perseus. It's already brighter than 15.5 magnitude in Cepheus.

Here's the Object Info dialog for (35107) 1991 VH:    

This large NEO has a well defined orbit and isn't moving very fast, so it should be easy to spot if 15th magnitude stars are within reach of your telescope.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, 2005 VO5, will make a close approach on 2025-Jul-11 04:46±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.04068 AU moving with V Relative=14.38 km/sec, H=19.8 magnitude, diameter 300 m - 660 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of July 5, there is a 7177 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.040144 AU. The solution date was 2025-Jul-05 06:18:27 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Siding Spring Survey on 2005-11-09. This NEO is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that can be downloaded by SkyTools. This approach is very close to the Earth MOID distance. The next approach in 2062 Jul 11 will be nearly as close at 0.04104 AU.

This NEO is already visible at 14.7 magnitude in Sagittarius. It will be best visible from the southern hemisphere.

Good hunting,

Phil S.