CNEOS predicts that the large Apollo class NEO, 2020 XR, will make a close approach on 2024-Dec-04 05:27±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.01477 AU moving with V Relative=12.31 km/sec, H=19.8, diameter 290 m - 650 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of November 23 there is a 4287 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.00164873 AU. The solution date was 2024-Nov-23 05:24:18 PST. The initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 2, Haleakala on 2020-12-04. This NEO is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazrdous Asteroids (PHAs). This is the closest it will come to earth between 1923 and 2157.

Using MPC's elements for 2024 Nov 25 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.14 predicts that 2020 XR will make a close approach (to the nearest hour) on 2024 Dec 4 at 0000 EST at a distance of 0.01 AU traveling through Sculptor at 67.5"/minute and 13.4 magnitude, but below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Peak brightness of 13.3 magnitude is predicted on 2024 Dec 4 at 2100 EST with the NEO at a distance of 0.02 AU traveling through Phoenix at 57.2"/minute. This large objece should be visible in a 13" scope from November 29 when it's predicted to be 16.1 magnitude traveling through Delphinus at 13"/minute to December 9 when it's predicted to be 14.8 magnitude traveling through Columba at 44"/minute. The best views should be from the southern hemisphere after December 3.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2020 XR: [attachment=3284]

Good Hunting,

Phil S.

Here's an article that describes the contamination that occurred during the preparation of a return sample from the asteroid (162173) Ryugu:

https://phys.org/news/2024-11-ryugu-aste...nized.html

Despite sample preparation in a Class 10,000 clean room and use of decontaminated tools, the analysis indicated that one of the samples was contaminated by earth microorganisms after the sample returned from space.

Earth bugs are tough, just ask the martians in War of the Worlds.

Phil S.

Minor Planet Hunters,

ST4.1.11.14 Visual Pro predicts that there are 4 NEOs brighter than 16 magnitude tonight (2024 Nov 20). They are (887) Alinda, 2006 WB and 2010 WC in the northern hemisphere and (66146) 1998 TU3 in Telescopium in the southern hemisphere.

Both (887) Alinda and (66146) 1998 TU3 are kilometer-sized objects and will remain bright for weeks. 2010 WC is already past the predicted peak brightness of 15.3 magnitude on 2024 Nov 20 0000 EST and is fading.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the Aten class NEO, 2010 WC, will make a close approach on 2024-Nov-21 01:26±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00494 AU moving with V Relative=9.11 km/sec, H=25.3 magnitude, diameter 23 m - 52 m and 'Rarity'=1. There is currently a 5110 day observation arc, the Condition Code=2 and the Earth MOID=0.00400079 AU. The solution date was 2024-Nov-12 03:12:01 PST. The initial reported observation was by Catalina Sky Survey on 2010-11-16. With H=25.3 this NEO is too small to make MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). This approach is the closest between 1900 and 2179 and very close to the Earth MOID.

Using MPC's elements for 2024 Nov 12 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.14 Pro predicts that the close approach will occur (to the nearest hour) on 2024 Nov 20 at 2100 EST with the NEO 743.33 k km distant and 15.9 magnitude traveling through Andromeda at 158"/minute. Peak brightness of 15.3 magnitude is predicted around midnight of 2024 Nov 20 when the NEO will be ~1000k km distant moving from Taurus into Aries at ~85-90"/minute.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this object: [attachment=3281]

This approach will be close enough that parallax will affect the apparent positions of the NEO from different locations on earth. For the most accurate results observers should download their orbital elements from JPL's HORIZONS website for a time near their time of observation.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Hello everyone,

I am starting a newsletter that will be released around full moon each month. It will include exclusive SkyTools development news, objects to view/image, comets, and SkyTools tips.

Sign up below:

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CNEOS predicts that the kilometer-sized, Amor class NEO, (887) Alinda, will make a close approach on 2025-Jan-08 13:40±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.08220 AU moving with V Relative=8.25, H=13.8, diameter 4.2 km, and 'Rarity'=3. There is a 106.77 year observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0805238 AU. The solution date was 2024-Nov-09 05:21:23 PST. This NEO was discovered in 1918-01-03 by Wolf, M. at Heidelberg. This approach is the closest that (887) Alinda will come to earth for 100 years and it's very close to the minimum distance possible. This is another 'Rarity'=3 event that we've been fortunate to occur recently. Events of this rarity aren't supposed to be this frequent.

Using MPC's elements for 2024 Nov 10 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.14 Pro predicts that (887) Alinda is already 13.0 magnitude at 0.3 AU distance traveling through Eridanus at 37.7"/hour.

I'll provide an update closer to the time of close approach, but this NEO is already quite bright.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Hi

I would need to calculate the exact time of the transit of the Sun at the meridian for at least seven days.

Can I use the EPHEMERIDES - Nightly Observing feature like in the screenshot below, column OPTIMUM? Is correct ?

   

Thanks 

Carlo

CNEOS predicts that the NEO, 2006 WB, will make a close approach on 2024-Nov-26 18:00±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00596 AU moving with V Relative=4.20 km/sec, H=22.8 magnitude, diameter 73 m - 160 m and 'Rarity'=2. There is a 2605 day observation arc, the Condition Code=2 and the Earth MOID=0.00415981 AU. The solution date was 2021-Apr-15 00:15:41 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Catalina Sky Survey on 2006-11-16. This object too small to make the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) at H=22.8 magnitude.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2024 Nov 3 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.14 Pro predicts that the close approach will occur (to the nearest hour) on 2024 Nov 26 at 1400 EST when the NEO will be 13.1 magnitude and 913.44k km distant traveling through Cetus at 52"/minute in daylight and below the horizon as seen from Columbus, Ohio. Peak brightness of 13.0 magnitude is predicted on November 24/25 with the MP ~940k km distant traveling through Cetus at 57"/minute. This NEO is predicted to be brighter than 16 magnitude from Nov 20 in Canis Major to Nov 29 in Pegasus.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2006 WB: [attachment=3269]

Since this NEO will get very close, parallax will effect the apparent positions. For most accurate predictions download elements close to your time of observation from JPL's HORIZONS website.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Hello,

I am new to SkyTools, and I am trying to identify how I can image a target using SHO filters for nebulosity and using RGB filter for star color. 

Is the best approach to create two projects for the target and configure the RGB project with fixed exposure times as seen in the attached screenshots, or is there a better way?

   
   

Thank you,
Nick

CNEOS predicts that the NEO, 2016 VA, will make a close approach on 2024-Nov-01 22:52±14:48 UT at a distance of 0.00378 AU moving with V Relative=21.17 km/sec, H=27.6 magnitude, diameter 8.0 m - 18 m and 'Rarity'=0. There is a 1 day observation arc, the Condition Code=7 and the Earth MOID=0.00081384 AU. The solution date was 2021-Apr-15 18:11:41 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Mt. Lemmon Survey on 2016-11-01. This NEO is too small to be on MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs).

Using MPC's elements for 2024 Oct 31 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.14 Pro predicts that the close approach will occur (to the nearest hour) on 2024 Nov 1 2200 EDT at a distance of 146.60k km traveling through Sculptor at 29.2"/second and 14.6 magnitude. Peak brightness of 13.7 magnitude is predicted on 2024 Nov 1 at 2000 EDT with the NEO 185.75k km distant traveling through Aries at 18.3"/second.

Apparently this NEO hasn't been recovered yet as the uncertainty of the time of close approach listed by CNEOS is nearly 15 hours.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this object: [attachment=3265]

As this object will pass very close by, parallax will affect  the predicted positions. For most accurate predictions. download orbital elements close to the time of close approach. JPL's HORIZONS produces the most accurate elements when the position of the object has been well determined. In the case of 2016 VA, it hasn't been seen in 8 years (2016-11-2) .

Sorry for the short heads-up on this object, it sort of sneaked up on me. I was hoping that the big boys, would reacquire it and produce more accurate elements for the orbit.

Good hunting,

Phil S.