CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO, 2024 LZ4 will make a close approach on 2024-Jun-16 03:55 ± < 00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00186 AU.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the kilometer-sized NEO, (504034) 2005 UJ159 will make a close approach on 2024-Jun-16 20:55±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.07310 AU moving with V Relative= 31.81 km/sec,  H=17.6 magnitude, diameter 800 m - 1.8 km and 'Rarity'=1. There is a 6701 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0397321 AU. The solution date was 2024-Mar-06 05:26:05 PDT. This NEO was discovered at Palomar on 2005-10-30 by NEAT. This NEO won't come within 0.1 AU of earth again until June 2134 when it is predicted to be 0.07642 AU at close approach.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2024 May 24 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that (504034) 2005 UJ159 will reach a peak brightness of 15.3 magnitude on June 18 at 1800 EDT when the MP will be 0.08 AU distant traveling through Antlia at 27"/minute in twilight on the horizon as seen (actually not seen) from Columbus, Ohio. Close approach (to the nearest hour) is predicted to occur on 2024 June 16 at 1900 EDT at a distance of 0.07 AU when the NEO's brightness is predicted to be 16.2 magnitude traveling through Hydra at 36"/minute in daylight in Columbus, Ohio. This NEO will be best observed from the southern hemisphere.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO: [attachment=3134]

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Edit: I see that the designation of the NEO is incorrect in the thread title. The correct deignation is (504034) 2005 UJ159. It's corrected now.

has anyone tried a tablet or an ink eReader instead of paper? 

there are ink ereaders that are almost the side of paper to don't output light. I would imagine you could use a redlight or amber reading light just like paper? not sure how it would work with glare?

https://remarkable.com/store/remarkable-2

also the ipad 2024 is about the size of paper and is now OLED. 

my laptop battery sucks and I have a push-to scope anyway...so prefer paper - but don't mind if the "paper" is digital.

Eta: I mostly observe from home in Bortle 4/5...not sure how harmful a little bit of light would be here compared to a dark sky.

tyty

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO, 2024 KX will make a close approach on 2024-May-31 03:42±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00194 AU moving with V Relative=8.25 km/sec, H=27.6 magnitude, diameter 8.0 m - 18 m and 'Rarity'=0. There is a 2 day observation arc, the Condition Code=5 and the Earth MOID=0.00143574 AU. The solution date was 2024-May-30 06:21:15 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2024-05-28.

Using MPC's elements for the epoch 2024 May 30 0000 UT ST4V predicts that this NEO will reach a peak brightness of 15.6 magnitude on 2024 May 30 at 2000 EDT when the NEO will be in Hydra traveling ~310"/minute in daylight near the horizon. Close approach is predicted to occur (to the nearest hour) on 2024 May 31 0000 EDT (0400 UT) when the NEO is 294.8k km distant at 16.1 magnitude traveling through Centaurus at ~350"/minute near the horizon. This object is best seen from the southern hemisphere, but the timing of the close approach is favorable for southern Europe and Africa. This one will really be moving quickly at the time of close approach.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO: [attachment=3129]

For best accuracy observers should update their MP database with orbital elements downloaded from JPL's HORIZONS website as described in the post pinned to the top of this Forum section.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I installed SkyTools Visual Pro on a second device (on my work computer in case I have time at lunch or something to plan observing lists).

on my home device, I went to Tools --> Sync Databases then "Create Sync Database". copied those folders to a flash drive.

then on the work computer I click "sync databases" then merge direct from the flash drive.

Is there a better way to do this? would prefer the computers to be identical rather than merged. the computers are not on the same network.

I also don't really change telescopes or locations too often. so would it be a big deal if I didn't sync things if I was just creating a list for that night? (or just exported the list)

I have the Pro Version of Visual

trying to keep it simple

tytyty

CNEOS predicts that the recently discovered NEO, 2024 CR9, will make a close approach on 2024-Jun-11 00:03±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.04924 AU moving with V Relative=7.38 km/sec, H=19.5 magnitude, diameter 330 m - 750 m and 'Rarity'=1. There's now a 100 day observation arc, the Condition Code=4 and the Earth MOID=0.0423965 AU The solution date was 2024-May-26 05:47:18 PDT. The last solution was computed on 2024 Apr 03 so I waited to report this close approach until the orbit was better defined. The initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2024-02-15. This MP is on the MPC's Potentially Hazardous Asteroids list that SkyTools can download from the MPC.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2024 May 26 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that 2024 CR9 will reach a peak brightness of 14.1 magnitude on 2024 June 10 at 0300 EDTwhen the NEO will be 0.05 AU distant, traveling through Sagittarius at 11.8"/minute. The close approach is predicted to occur (to the nearest hour) on 2024 June 10 at 2000 EDT when the MP is predicted to be 14.2 magnitude in Sagittarius traveling at 12.4"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. On the night of May 27-28, 2024 CR9 is predicted to be 15.3 magnitude 0.08 AU distant in Centaurus. The light curve for this object is relatively flat since the close approach distance is ~0.05 AU.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this object: [attachment=3125]

Here's the predicted path for 2024 CR9 as seen from Columbus, Ohio from 2024 June 1-June 23. It's going to pass through an interesting region of the sky and might make for some interesting images.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

so I would like to add an ideal filter (as in the filter I want to observe with...like O-III or UHC, etc) to my observing list.

I started to go through the Messier List and added it to the Brief...but the Brief note didn't copy to my other lists?

would love for it to show up next to the ideal eyepiece on the list

any way to put it in there so it's permanent and comes up on every list? or what would be the best way to do this so it's right up there and not buried in a note?

tytyty

   

Hello everyone,

I put together the AL Multiple Star Observing List that was ask in another thread. I am posting it here. Every multiple star include a couple of entries to get the whole system in the list. The brief includes one of the names for the system and the description of the pair that that entry is describing like: AB, AC, CD... In some cases the pair in the list are not in ST4 so I included the star by itself if I was able to identify it, and the data for that pair is included in the object description (as it is given in the AL Multiple Star List witch in a lot of occasions doesn't match with the ST4 data because of proper motion or orbits).

Clear skies,

Carles

EDITED: I resubmitted this list including the notes that were omitted in the original because of not checking the appropriate box.

Attached Files

  AL Multiple Star List.stx (Size: 14.06 KB / Downloads: 8)

So I have a few configurations that I use very commonly and I'm wondering how to best approach each situation.

This is all with the same telescope

1)  I use Zoom eyepieces interchangeably when I mono-view

I entered in 4 separate eyepieces (the top focal length, bottom, and two in-between). the only thing is I would assume it would never choose that eyepiece and instead choose one with a larger FOV. should I leave it as is and just know I might not capture the whole field?

2) I use binoviewers frequently - all eyepieces are 1.25" and usually narrower fields of view.

3) I use Night Vision frequently - all night vision is 40 degrees aparent field of view and there's only a handful of eyepieces involved

for both of 2 and 3 I'm thinking create another telescope?

or just create custom eyepieces that are unnamed - all say at 67 degrees field of view and let the software tell me what magnification is best, then I can figure out how to best frame it with whatever I am using that night?

or any other ideas? I would like it as simple as possible even if I lose a little bit of functionality here

tyty

So sorry to ask for help before diving into the program myself. I watched all the videos a month ago and the plan was to get this software during summer and carefully learn it...as my current work schedule is very very demanding until summer.

but just yesterday I unexpectedly got into a sold out star party in two weeks (Cherry Springs - this will be my first star party and only second time ever to a dark site).

so I **really** want to get the list generation right for this.

I have been in the hobby for 2 years but observing time has only been a few hours a week from bortle 4/5.

so my main goal is to see "showpiece" objects. my main goal is observing > learning the sky / hunting things down / seeing very very faint things (i'll circle back to all of that later). I'll be using a Nexus DSC, an alt-az mount, and a refractor. I have filters and I'll keep the eyepieces and stuff minimal. just really want to observe a lot.

can someone suggest some settings for me for list creation? I don't think i'll be able to stay up all night but I want to have a list for best objects in case say I wake up at 2am or whatever so I can get up and running right away. 

I'm guessing the sky won't be much different over 3 days so I was thinking of making just one list...like top objects at 15 minutes per observation? or should I do 10 and just take longer if I want and skip stuff? or should I do 5 minutes in case part of the sky is cloudy?

I'm hoping to make the list this weekend and print out all the charts and spiral bind it so I can study it for two weeks when I have a little downtime at lunch or whatever. so any input on settings for me would be great.

thank you for any suggestions / tips!!