CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered Apollo class NEA, 2025 XV, will make a close approach on 2025-Dec-18 03:48±00:02 UT at a distance of 0.01735 AU moving with V relative=9.55 km/sec, H=22.8 magnitude, diameter 75 m - 170 m and 'Rarity'=1. There is currently a 5 day observation arc, the Condition Code=7 and the Earth MOID=0.0164718 AU. The solution date was 2025-Dec-12 05:24:22 PST. The initial reported observation was by ATLAS-TDO on 2025-12-08. The observation arc was extended by observations on 2025-12-6, 7 & 8 by Palomar Mountain--ZTF. The close approach time has changed by -1 minute from December 10 to December 12, but the uncertainty on December 10 was ±00:09.

The orbit is still being refined so observers should check the CNEOS website for the status of this NEA. It's currently predicted to be 16.7 magnitude in Perseus, but it should exceed 16 magnitude on December 14 and reach a peak brightness of 15.1 in Taurus on the night of December 16.

Good hunting.

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the kilometer-sized, Apollo class NEA, (220839) 2004 VA, will make a close approach on 2025-Dec-30 23:49±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.09594 AU moving with V Relative=12.29 km/sec. H=17.4 magnitude, diameter 870 m - 1.9 km and 'Rarity'=1. As of December 7 there was a 8166 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0233217 AU. The solution date was 2025-Dec-07 05:19:12 PST. This NEA was discovered 2004-11-01 by LONEOS at Anderson Mesa. A closer approach is predicted on 2039-May-03 20:44±<00:01 UT at 0.06096 AU. This NEA is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Dec 7 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.19 Visual Pro predicts that (220839) 2004 VA will reach a peak brightness of 15.2 magnitude from December 12 to December 21. On 2025 Dec 16 at 2100 EST it is predicted to be 15.2 magnitude traveling through Cetus at ~6"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 December 30 at 1900 EST (Dec 31 0000 UT) with the MP 0.096 AU distant traveling through Aquarius at 16.7 magnitude and ~11"/minute. It should be brighter than 16 magnitude from November 25 (in Taurus) to Dec 27 (in Aquarius). It's currently a predicted magnitude 15.3 object in Cetus.

Here's the Object Info dialog for (220839) 2004 VA:    

Since the orbit for this object is well defined and the close approach distance is nearly 0.1 AU, MPC's orbital elements should provide accurate positions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the recently discovered medium-sized, Apollo class NEA, 2025 WA3 will make a close approach on 2025-Dec-15 21:29±00:09 UT at a distance of 0.02274 AU moving with V Relative=19.40 km/sec, H=20.7 magnitude, diameter 190 m - 420 m and 'Rarity'=2. There is currently a 12 day observation arc, the Condition Code=8 and the Earth MOID=0.00525214 AU. The solution date was 2025-Dec-06 06:32:44 PST. The initial reported observation was by Purple Mountain Observatory, XuYi Station on 2025-11-23. This object is large enough to be on MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download from the MPC using SkyTools. The next predicted close approach is in 2099 at 0.073 AU.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Dec 6 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.19 predicts that 2025 WA3 will reach a peak brightness of 14.7 magnitude around midnight EST on 2025 Dec 13 traveling through Aries at 0.030 AU distant and 42"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Dec 15 1600 EST (2100 UT) with the NEA traveling through Pegasus at 72"/minute and 15.4 magnitude. 2025 WA3 should be brighter than 16 magnitude from Dec 8 in Taurus to Dec 16 in Pegasus. It passes within 0.5 degrees of Aldebaran on 2025 Dec 9 0000 EST (0500 UT) at 15.9 magnitude.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2025 WA3:    

The orbit for this object is still being refined since there is a 9 minute uncertainty in the time of close approach (still better than the several hours a few days ago). Observers should visit the CNEOS website to check on the status of this NEA.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Folks might find this article about ancient airbursts similar to Tunguska interesting:

https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-unco...g-craters/

These are the results of some really close approaches that leave no craters (at least not large craters).

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized, Apollo class NEA, 2007 VM184, will make a close approach on 2025-Dec-01 09:38±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.03341 AU, moving with V Relative=20.02 km/sec, H=21.1 magnitude, diameter 160 m - 370 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of 2025 Nov 25, there is a 6588 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0326265 AU. The solution date was 2025-Nov-25 07:34:43 PST. The initial reported observation was by Catalina Sky Survey on 2007-11-12. This object is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools. This close approach is nearly at the MOID. The next approach nearly this close is on 2084-Dec-01 02:48±<00:01 UT at 0.03708 AU.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Nov 25 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.19 Visual Pro predicts that 2007 VM184 will reach peak brightness of 15.4 magnitude in the early evening of 2025 Nov 29 when the NEA will be 0.037 AU distant traveling through Camelopardalis at ~40"/minute. The close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Dec 1 at 0500 EST (1000 UT) with the NEA still traveling through Camelopardalis at 49"/minute and 15.8 magnitude. This NEA is predicted to be brighter than 16 magnitude from Nov 27 (in Auriga) to Dec 1 (in Cepheus).

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2007 VM184:    

The orbit for this object is well defined so the elements provided by the MPC should yield accurate positions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Hello All,

Christina LeGrand here.  Question, please.  I have just now found out about the Bootes Supervoid and the Cold Spot.  Obviously, I have been living under a rock.  I found coordinates for these two unbelievable phenomena, and would like to add them to an observing list.  I have tried to upload a text file and a csv file, but it is not working.   Does anyone have a txt / csv file I can use as an example?  I am trying to upload via Nightly Planner --> Get Observing List --> Read from Text File.  

Thank you for any info or help!
Christina LeGrand

An update has been released for all SkyTools 4 versions. You will be prompted to install the update when SkyTools is started. 

Updates in Version 4.x.11.19 (2025 November 16)

• New version 4.1 feature: SkyTools can start in Night Vision mode via a check box on the Preferences dialog.
  
• A crash was fixed that occured when the Today, Tomorrow, or Yesterday buttons were used on the Date Dialog
  
• Various minor fixes were made.
  

I am trying to use ST4v to build some well composed images where none of the targets are at the center of the image.  Can I move my Camera Viewer box around and then do a copy of the center's coordinates to paste in another program?  I've tried picking out the center myself, using a star as the target, but wanted something more direct.

Roy Wellington

CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, (3361) Orpheus, will make a close approach on 2025-Nov-19 01:27±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.03792 AU moving with V Relative=9.08 km/sec, H=19.5 magnitude, diameter 0.3 km and ''Rarity'=1. As of November 2 there is a 15898 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0146456 AU.  The solution date was 2025-Nov-02 05:20:33 PST. (3361) Orpheus was discovered on 1982-04-24 by Torres, C. at Cerro El Roble. This is the closest approach to earth until the approach on 2091-Apr-18 22:50 ± < 00:01 UT at a distance of 0.02113 AU. This NEO is on MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Nov 3 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.18 Visual Pro predicts that (3361) Orpheus will reach a peak brightness of 14.7 magnitude on the morning of 2025 November 14 when the NEO will be 0.05 AU distant traveling through Lepus at 14"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 November 18 at 2000 EST with the the NEO 0.04 AU distant traveling through Puppis at 20.4"/minute and 15.3 magnitude, but below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. (3361) Orpheus is currently 15.5 magnitude in Taurus, 0.09 AU distant.

Here's the Object Info dialog for (3361) Orpheus:    

The orbit for this object is well defined and it won't pass too close-by so elements from the MPC at Today's Epoch may be accurate enough to find this NEO.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Hello Greg
I have Skytools Imaging Version 4.1.11.18
When I change the date of local evening to "Tonight" under Target Selection, Skytools simply closes.
I am able to select a date in the Calendar, and Skytools updates its self normally.
Can you think what could be causing this?

Thank you
Adrien Richardson