I guess it was just a matter of time, but here we are. The primary way that I keep spam off this forum is to ensure that a new poster makes a reasonable post before they are accepted. Unfortunately, people from certain parts of the world are now using AI to help them make these posts. Their posts are still pretty obvious, but I have had to change how I determine what is "reasonable" as a result. Posts from new accounts that contain no useful information (me too, excellent response, etc.) are now being summarily deleted. It is possible that I may be deleting a few that are legit. 

If you are new here and want to fit in, please consider introducing yourself. Tell us about the kind of astronomy you do and about the equipment you use. Note also that we have a discord.

Hello,

I noticed something weird last night, I'll make a list on Skytools 4 of about 300 objects in a constellation. Than when I transfer them over to Skysafari Pro 6, about half the list will only be added.
I always thought it would say unrecognized object for any object added that was not recognizable. Instead, I notice 1-2 unrecognizable ones per list and all the rest aren't there. I noticed 
SKytools 4 has different RA/DEC numbers. They are always off by a minute or so. Or perhaps Skysafari's are off, not sure. There's seem to be on date numbers, while Skyttols 4 are J2000 numbers, perhaps that's the issue? In the SKysafari app precession options I have current epoch turned on, says 2000 right underneath. Include nutation, aberration, proper motion, light time are not turned on, dynamic time and refraction are turned on. 
 
No idea what's causing this. On some of these lists even the Berkeley objects won't appear. If I search for Berkeley though, it will appear on skysafari. I don't know, weird. 

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO, 2025 LK, will make a close approach on 2025-Jun-08 19:48±00:05 UT at a distance of 0.00066 AU, moving with  V Relative=10.27 km/sec,  H=26.9 magnitude, diameter 11 m - 24 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of 2025 Jun 6, there is a 3 day observation arc, the Condition Code=7 and the Earth MOID=0.000546596 AU. The solution date was 2025-Jun-06 09:12:02 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2025-06-05. The observation arc was extended 2 days by pre-discovery observations on 2025 Jun 3 at Palomar Mountain--ZTF. This NEO is too small to make the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download with SkyTools.

Using MPC's elements for the epoch 2025 May 5 0000 UT downloaded on 2025 Jun 6 (this object wasn't in the NEOs at Today's Epoch datafile - too new), ST4.1.1.15 Visual Pro predicts that this NEO will reach a peak brightness of 15 magnitude on 2025 Jun 8 ~1300 EDT (~1700 UT) at a distance of 156.1k km traveling through Draco at ~500"/minute in daylight, near the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Jun 8 1600 EDT (2000 UT) at a distance of 103.6k km and 16 magnitude traveling through Camelopardalis at 20.9"/second, but in daylight in Columbus, Ohio.

Here's the Object Info data for 2025 LK:    

Since this NEO will pass close to earth and the orbit is still being refined with new observations, observers should follow the directions for downloading orbital elements described in the Important Thread at the top of this forum section.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

If I wanted to create a list of common alignment stars for a specific night, how would I do that? like say June 15th at 10pm?

I tried Database Powersearch and magnitude < 1.7

but I couldn't get it to select a specific night?

I'd like to make a map and print it and study them. going to a star party and want to be prepared.

thank you!

Hi All,

This thread concerns a strange process in observing logs. Hope I used the right forum to describe the problem.

Last night, I made some observations, and as I do routinely, I wanted, to day, to enter my notes in ST4. 
Opening the "New log Defaults" windows, I wanted to precise my observations details: I opened the "observing location" windows, and as expected, ST4 asked me the choice between "ask" and "select from list". 
I chose select from list, and ST4 showed me all my observing locations.
Right now, all seemed correct.

But the problem occurred when I wanted to define my instrument. As usual, I clicked on the "instrument" windows, and ST4 showed me the usual choice between "ask" and "select from list". I chose to click on "select from list", the usual window opened, but in it, there was only "naked eye", and nothing more. 
None of my numerous instruments.
I verified in "set up / telescopes", all my instruments were perfectly detailled.

I recommenced the process several times, without any improvement.
As I do routinely a back up of logs, lists, and notes after each session, I restore ST4 from my last back up. The problem was exactly the same.

I would like to know if I did a mistake, or if it is a bug of the ST4 visual 1.11.15. 
Many thanks for your help

Bertrand
Marseille, France

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO, 2025 LB, will make a close approach on 2025-Jun-04 07:07±00:03 UT at a distance of 0.00102 AU, moving with  V Relative=11.21 km/sec, H=26.7 magnitude, diameter 12 m - 27 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of 2025 Jun 2, there is a 1 day observation arc, the Condition Code=7 and the Earth MOID=0.000791639 AU. The solution date was 2025-Jun-02 08:12:02 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2025-06-01. This NEO is too small to make MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). CNEOS lists its last close approach as occurring in June 1933 at a nominal distance of 0.00560 AU.

Using MPC's elements for the epoch 2025 May 5 0000 UT (downloaded on 2025 Jun 2), ST4.1.1.15 Visual Pro predicts that this NEO's close approach will occur (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Jun 4 0300 EDT (0700 UT) with the NEO 156.1k km distant traveling through Lynx at 14.2"/second and 16.7 magnitude. Peak brightness is predicted on 2025 Jun 3 2300 EDT (Jun 4 0300 UT) with the NEO 233.8k km distant, traveling through Canes Venatici at 408"/minute and 15.8 magnitude.  This object is so new that it wasn't added to MPC's file of NEOs at Today's Epoch that ST4 can download from the MPC website. I had to download the orbital elements for a single object. That always provides the standard epoch for the elements (currently 2025 May 5 0000 UT).

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2025 LB:    

Since this object will pass very close and it's a recent discovery, observers should follow the directions in the Important Thread at the top of this forum section to download orbital elements close to their time of observation. This NEO will be moving very quickly across the sky at close approach and at 16.7 magnitude will require a large telescope to see it.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO, 2025 KE1, will make a close approach on 2025-May-23 01:31±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00129 AU moving with V Relative=18.65 km/sec, H=26.4 magnitude, diameter 14 m - 31 m and 'Rarity'=1. There is currently a 1 day observation arc, the Condition Code=7 and the Earth MOID=0.00136553 AU. The solution date was 2025-May-22 03:12:01 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Catalina Sky Survey on 2025-05-21. This approach is even closer than the calculated MOID which is very uncommon. This NEO is too small to make the MPC's list of PHAs.

Using MPC's orbital elemets for the epoch 2025 May 22 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.14 Visual Pro predicts that the close approach will occur (to the nearest hour) on 2025 May 22 2200 EDT (May 23 0200 UT) at a distnce of 196.7k km traveling through Apus at 14.0 mgnitude and 19.1"/second, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio! Peak brightness of 13.3 magnitude is predicted to occur on May 22 2000 EDT at a distance of 219.0k km traveling through Scorpius at 15.6"/second in daylight, below the horizon in Columbus. This object will be best from the southern hemisphere.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2025 KE1:    

Since this object will pass very close to earth, follow the directions for downloading the most accurate orbital elements in the 'Important Threads' Post at the top of this forum section. This NEO will be a real screamer at 19"/second.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, (424482) 2008 DG5, will make a close approach on 2025-Jun-05 23:59±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.02335 AU moving with V Relative=6.21 km/sec, H=19.6 magnitude, diameter 320 m - 700 m and 'Rarity'=2. There is currently a 8819 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0186531 AU. The solution date was 2025-May-21 05:49:02 PDT. This object was discovered at Catalina on 2008-02-28 by CSS. This NEO is on MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). Two more close approaches of ~0.023 AU are predicted on 2080-Jun-02 05:43±<00:01 UT and 2163-Jun-04 22:22±00:05 UT.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 May 22 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.14 Visual Pro predicts that (424482) DG5 will reach a peak brightness of 13.6 magnitude on the evening of 2025 Jun 1 at a distance of 0.03 AU traveling through Bootes at 16.5"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 June 5 2000 EDT (June 6 0000 UT) with the NEO 0.02 AU distant traveling through Canes Venatici at 14.1 magnitude and 22.6"/minute, but in daylight in Columbus, Ohio. The close approach should be visible in Europe, weather permitting. This object is already brighter than 15 magnitude and is predicted to remain so until June 8.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO:    

This should be an easy NEO to observe.

Good Hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO, 2025 KF, will make a close approach on 2025-May-21 17:26±00:04 UT at a distance of 0.00077 AU moving with V Relative=11.58 km/sec, H=27.1 magnitude, diameter 10 m - 23 m and 'Rarity'=1. There is a 1 day observation arc, the Condition Code=7 and the Earth MOID=0.000805912 AU. The solution date was 2025-May-20 06:23:01 PDT. The initial reported observation was by MAP, San Pedro de Atacama on 2025-05-19.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 May 20 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.14 Visual Pro predicts that this NEO will reach a peak brightness of 13.8 magnitude on 2025 May 21 at 1200 EDT at a distance of only 133.3k km traveling through Centaurus at 14.8"/second, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 May 21 1400 EDT (1800 UT) with the NEO at 14.5 magnitude and 119.5k km traveling through Hydrus at 19.2"/second in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. This object will be best from the southern hemisphere.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2025 KF:    

Since this object will pass very close and will be moving extremely fast, observers should follow the directions in the post at the top of this forum section to obtain orbital elements close to the time of their observations.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Hello, I am trying to add my Optolong L quad as one of my filters and am not certain of the format needed. What I have is below in a text file, and I am not specifically sure of the percentages. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

656.3 486.1
495.9 500.7
435.8 546.1 577 578.1
598 589.6 615.4 616.1