CNEOS predicts that the recently discovered small Apollo-class NEA, 2026 KB, will make a close approach on 2026-May-18 15:15±< 00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00155 AU.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 May 17 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that this MP will reach a peak brightness of 15.0 magnitude on May 18 at ~0800 EDT (1300 UT) at a distance of 260.7k km traveling through Hydra at 390"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio.

This object will be best viewed from the southern hemisphere.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Hello All,

Christina LeGrand here.   I am building an observing list for the June new moon, and have a question.  Jupiter is included in this observing list.  However, the resulting Sky Tools entry in the observing list for Jupiter shows 4:26 PM as being the "Best" time to view it.   It also shows 9:35 AM as the "Begin" time for observing this object.  I don't remember seeing results like this before.  Has something changed, or do I need to do something differently?   I use the Best and Begin column for sequencing the objects to view.

Thank you for any info or ideas.

Christina LeGrand

CNEOS predicts that the small Apollo class NEA, 2026 JH2 will make a close approach on 2026-May-18 21:23±06:16 UT at a distance of 0.00061 AU moving with V Relative=9.17 km/sec, H=26.1, diameter 16 m - 35 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of May 11 there was a 2 day observation arc, the Condition Code=9 and the Earth MOID=0.000602842  AU. The solution date was 2026-May-11 22:12:02 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Mt. Lemmon Survey on 2026-05-10.

Using orbital elements downloaded from the MPC for the epoch 2026 May 12 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that 2026 JH2 will reach a peak brightness of 11.6 magnitude on may 18 at 1800 EDT at a distance of 96.7k km traveling through Lupus at 18.4"/second in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. This NEA should look best from the southern hemisphere.

The orbit for this NEA is still being refined. I'll post an update in a few days. This object is one to keep an eye on, if it will be visible from your location.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Here's an article about a NASA space telescope designed to detect Near Earth Objects (NEOs):

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/nasa...05318.html

It uses IR cameras and has a 20" aperture. 

Phil S.

The kilometer-sized Aten class NEA, (152637) 1997 NC1 is predicted to make a close approach on 2026 Jun 27. Maximum brightness is predicted to be 10.1 magnitude. I'll provide an update closer to the time of the event.

Phil S.

Greg,

If I open and Imaging Project and go to Exposure Goals and Filters there are two places to describe sub exposures.  ON the left I had set Sub exposures to 1 minute (plop down scope, no guiding, best I can do). On the right I customized the exposure for each filter thinking that was necessary to get the objective "Ha-R-G-B composite - 8 hr total exposure time - composite SNR 25 - color SNR 25". There I left sub exposure to Auto. I made a schedule and saved the sequence to import into SGPro.  The result is all exposures are zero, not my expectation.

Changing the filter custom exposure time to 1 minute produced the anticipated result.

I guess I was thinking that if I had left "Auto" for the Custom exposure the program would calculated and used a non-zero number for exposure or maybe used the one minute setting from the left side.

Roy

CNEOS predicts that the newly-discovered NEA, 2026 GD, will make a close approach on 2026-Apr-09 23:00±00:10 UT at a distance of 0.00168 AU moving with V Relative=12.66 km/sec, H=26.6 magnitude, diameter 13 m - 29 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of April 7, there is a 1 day observation arc, the  Condition Code=7 and the Earth MOID=0.00052541 AU. The solution date was 2026-Apr-07 00:42:03 PDT. The initial reported observation was by MAPS, San Pedro de Atacama on 2026-04-06. This is the same group of observers that discovered comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS).

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Apr 7 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that 2026 GD will reach a peak brightness of 14.8 magnitude on April 9 at 1500 EDT (1900 UT) at a distance of 311.8k km traveling through Lupus at ~400"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 Apr 9 at 1900 EDT (2300 UT) at 253.0k km when the NEA will be traveling through Corona Australis at 15.5 magnitude and 10.3"/second, but still in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus. This object will be best visible from the southern hemisphere.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2026 GD:    

The orbit for this NEA is still being refined. Observers should follow the directions in the "Important Threads" section for instruction on how to download the orbatal elements for the most accurate predictions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I have some sad and upsetting news. According to a report on the amastro group, our friend Owen Brazell has passed away. From the report: "Apparently, he was involved in a deadly vehicle accident on Monday while on the way to the Kelling Heath Star Party in North Norfolk, UK. At 68 years old, I know he was quite active in promoting amateur astronomy as he was the current President of the Webb Society and the Editor of their magazine, The Deep Sky Observer."

I never met Owen in person, but he had been a SkyTools user since 1999, and was responsible for many features and catalog additions. 

Owen was a passionate visual observer, something I respect and admire--to the point where he made it quite clear that he was unhappy with me for developing an imaging version of SkyTools. His presence on forums, advocacy for visual observing, and fellowship will be missed.

Here's an article about the bright bolide that was visible during daylight on St. Patrick's Day, March 17:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/susp...18509.html

NASA estimated that the asteroid was ~6 feet in diameter and weighed ~7 tons. It was observed from Wisconsin to Maryland and exploded with an energy of 250 tons of TNT. The sound was heard throughout northeastern Ohio.

This object doesn't appear to have been detected before it entered the atmosphere. I thought that some would find this interesting.

Phil S.

Hello All,

Christina LeGrand here.   With the weather getting warmer, I hear the call of the telescope to get back out there.   What have you all found to be the best sort sequence for presenting objects on an observing list?   I typically sort on "Best" or "Transit"; but invariably, I miss out on some early or late objects.   So I have been trying to sort on "Rise" and maybe "Best" within that.   Or "End".   Or ... ?  

Has anyone found a sort sequence they really like, that helps them see the most objects during a session?   Thanks for any ideas - I will be getting the scope out tomorrow night to give it a whirl.  

Thank you for any thoughts,
Christina LeGrand