Hello. Can anyone suggest a way to export an observing list created in SkyTools into Nina? I would like to use the Sky tour function in ST4, but would like to use Ninas slew and center using the platesolver to ensure the objects are centred. Is there a way to convert the text file or Stx files from SkyTools to csv that Nina uses. I use Nina not only for the slew and center, but also the dome and shutter control. Dave.

CNEOS predicted that this NEO made a close approach today. It is currently 15.9 magnitude in Scorpius. It may remain at this brightness for the next few days.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the NEO 2019 LH5 will make a close approach on 2023-Jul-07 04:11 ± < 00:01 UT at a distance of 03820 AU with V Relative=21.65 km/sec, H=20.5 magnitude, diameter 210 m - 470 m and 'Rarity'=1. The Condition Code=0 with a 1486 day observation arc. The Earth MOID=0.0128152 AU. This object is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Objects given it's size and small MOID.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Jul 2 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that this NEO will reach a peak brightness of 15.7 magnitude on 2023 Jul 5 0300 EDT (0700 UT) when the MP will be 0.04 AU distant traveling through Serpens at 34"/minute. Close approach is predicted to occur (to the nearest hour) on 2023 Jul 7 0000 EDT (0400 UT) at 16.4 magnitude traveling through Bootes at 47"/minute. This NEO is predicted to be brighter than 16 magnitude from July 2 to July 6, so there should be several nights to observe it.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this object:     

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Here we have a 120 sec exposure image of the NEO 2023 MU2 with the telescope tracking on the rapidly moving NEO. I could easily see the orbital movement of the virtual target in real time on the computer screen.
 
Whilst the good folks and visitors of the City of Brisbane were safely sleeping, I was keeping an eye on this 5 metre sized cosmic rock as it sailed by, at a closest approach of some 230,000 kms, well within the orbit of our Moon.
 
My first 120 sec exposure did not locate the NEO so I had to slew the telescope to each corner of the FOV and take a series of 120 sec exposures in the hope of locating the rapidly moving mag 16.8 object. One of these frames revealed the location of NEO 2023 MU2, some 25 arc mins off, behind the plotted position, so it appeared to be lagging.
 
Takahashi Mewlon 210 F11.5
QHY268M Camera
Paramount MX+ Mount.
FOV 33x22 arc mins.
Image Scale: 0.32 arcsec/pixel
 
I downloaded the data for NEO 2023 MU2 via SkyTools and plotted the position of the NEO in ST4 Imaging and slewed to the predicted location but did not find the object.
 
As I am required to use my Mount control SW to actually Track on the NEO, it too plotted the object at slightly different coordinates. The mount suggested an RA Rate (arcsecs/sec) of 2.521133 and aDec Rate (arcsecs/sec) of 0.704910.
 
All in all, I was very pleased with this result.
 
SkyTools 4 Imaging data for 23:49pm 25/06/2023 AEST.
2023 MU2
Minor Planet
Apollo class (NEO)
R.A.  19h48m12.8s Dec. -02°52'04" (2000) in Aquila
Magnitude: 16.73
Diameter: 3 - 8 m
Orbital Elements Epoch 2023 Jun 25.
54 observations over 1 oppositions
Apparent Data for 2023 Jun 25  GMT+10 at Back Garden:
Apparent RA:  19h49m27.2s, Apparent Dec: -02°48'36"
Local Sidereal Time:  18h15m

Date/Time AEST: 25/06/2023 1:48:39 PM at exposure start
Date/Time UTC:  25/06/2023 11:48:39.060 at exposure start
 
Cheers
 
Dennis

   

   

CNEOS predicts that the recently discovered NEO, 2023 HO6, will make a close approach on 2023-Jul-05 21:59±00:01 UT at a distance of 0.01368 AU with V Relative=7.77 km/sec, H=21.0 magnitude, diameter 170 m - 380 m, 'Rarity'=2. The Condition  Code=5 with a 59 day observation arc. The Earth MOID=0.0116961 AU. The first reported observation was by Purple Mountain Observatory, XuYi Station on 2023-04-25.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Jun 23, ST4v predicts that this NEO will reach a maximum brightness of 13.5 magnitude on the morning of July 5 when the NEO will be 0.01 AU distant moving through Norma at ~44"/minute below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Close approach (to the nearest hour) occurs on 2023 Jul 5 1800 EDT (2200 UT) with 2023 HO6 shining at 13.6 magnitude in Trianglum Austra moving 48"/minute, still below the horizon in Columbus, now in daylight. ST4v predicts that this object will be 16 magnitude on Jun 27 when it is predicted to be in Serpens moving 5"/minute. It should exceed 16 magnitude from Jun 27 to Jul 5. The southern hemisphere will have the best view.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO:     

This NEO should be visible over several days. Hopefully anyone interested will have an opportunity to observe it.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO, 2023 LV1, will make a close approach on 2023-Jun-17 06:26±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.03765 AU with V Relative = 16.52 km/sec, H=21.4 magnitude, diameter 140 m - 320 m, 'Rarity'=1. The Condition Code=7 with a 1 day observation arc. The Earth MOID=0.032868 AU. The first reported observation was by Moonbase South Observatory, Hakos on 2023-06-14. This is a medium-sized object that will probably be placed on the Potentially Hazardous Objects List.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Jun 16 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that this NEO will reach a peak brightness of 16.1 magnitude on Jun 18 0600 EDT (0200 UT) when it will be moving through Pavo at 34"/min during twilight, below the horizon from Columbus, Ohio. The close approach is predicted to occur in Tucana with the 16.5 magnitude NEO moving 37"/minute still below the horizon.

This is a southern hemisphere object, but like 2023 LM1 the close approach may have already occurred by the time many have seen this post. At least the maximum brightness occurs the day after close approach and the object is still moving at a respectable rate. Nothing like 2023 LM1 though, that was a real screamer!

Here's the Object Info dialog for this object:     

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I used the Database Power Search in SkyTools 4 Imaging to generate a list of Quasars with a Redshift (z) greater than 4.5, and one of the targets returned was the QSO PMN J1451-1512 in Libra.
 
This is an image of that Quasar, PMN J1451-1512, Mag 19.14, Redshift (z): 4.76, Light Time: 13.0 Gyr (22 x 240 sec exposures) taken with my Tak Mewlon 210 F11.5 and QHY268M from my suburban skies in Brisbane (Bortle 6 to 7).
 
PMN J1451-1512
Quasar
R.A.  14h51m47.1s Dec.: -15°12'20" (2000) in Libra
Magnitude: 19.10 R
Redshift (z): 4.76
Light Time: 13.0 Gyr
Apparent Data for 2023 Jun 15  GMT+10:
Apparent RA:  14h53m05.4s, Apparent Dec: -15°18'10"
 
Takahashi Mewlon 210 F11.5
QHY 268 M Pro Bin 2x2
Thurs 15th June 2023 10:02pm to 11:41pm AEST
2023-06-15:T12:02 to 13:41 UT
22 x 240 sec exposures
 
I understand that the parameter 13Giga Years is a measurement of how long it has taken for the light from the distant Quasar to reach the Earth. I also understand that the current estimate for the age of the Universe is in the range of 13.7 to 13.80 billion years.
 
I have attached a professional observatory image (colour) from Aladin Lite (PanSTARRS), marking the location of the Quasar with a red cross.
 
Cheers
 
Dennis

   

   

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO, 2023 LM1, will make a close approach on 2023-Jun-15 22:51±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00074 AU, V Relative=9.18 km/sec, H=28.4 magnitude, diameter 5.5 m - 12 m, 'Rarity'=1. The Condition Code=7 with a  1 day observation arc. The Earth MOID=0.000795779 AU. This small object was first observed by Mt. Lemmon Survey on 2023-06-14.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Jun 15 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that 2023 LM1 will reach a maximum brightness of 16 magnitude on Jun 15 1700 EDT (2100 UT) at a distance of 130.1k km when the NEO is predicted to be moving through Carina at 12.8"/sec in daylight below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Close approach (to the nearest hour) is predicted to occur Jun 15 1900 EDT (2300 UT) with the NEO 114.8k km distant, 16.4 magnitude, moving through Dorado at 15.7"/sec! Unfortunately it's still in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus. This is a real screamer with very little advance warning. Hopefully someone will be able to observe it.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this MP:     

This object will be very close so parallax will affect the apparent position relative to the stars. You'll need to download the elements from the MPC so that SkyTools can plot the correct position on your charts.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the NEO (467336) 2002 LT38 will make a close approach on 2023-Jun-24 18:28±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.04450 AU, V Relative=  7.15 km/sec, H=20.6 magnitude, diameter 200 m - 450 m, 'Rarity'=1. The Condition Code=0, with a 7673 day observation arc. The orbit is well defined. The Earth MOID=0.0343136 AU. This NEO is on the list of Potentially Hazardous Objects.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Jun 5 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that this object will reach a maximum brightness of 15.1 magnitude on June 19-20 when the NEO will be ~0.05 AU distant moving through Ophiuchus at ~11"/min. The Minimum Re is predicted to occur (to the nearest hour) on 2023 Jun 24 1400 EDT (1800 UT) when the NEO will be 0.04 AU distant at 15.6 magnitude moving through Hercules at 12.9"/min in daylight below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio.

This object was already 15.8 magnitude in Sagittarius on the morning of Jun 13 and will remain <=15.8 magnitude until the evening of Jun 25 in Serpens. Unfortunately, this Aten class object isn't a fast mover, but it is visible over several days from both the northern & southern hemispheres.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO:     

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I enjoyed a bit of a “play” session last night, (9th June 2023), fitting the Celestron x0.7 Reducer to my C9.25 F/10 Edge HD SCT which transforms the OTA into an F/7 1,645mm optic.
 
The main task was to obtain the correct back focus and orient the camera, so the OTA was balanced, and generally become familiar with the new set up.
 
NEO 2023 LD looked like a suitable test target, although it would take a few hours to rise above the tree line in that part of my obstructed skies.
 
All the equipment behaved and the skies remained clear, so here is a 60 sec exposure, tracking on the NEO.
 
Cheers
 
Dennis