CNEOS predicts that this newly discovered NEO will make a close approach on 2023-Jul-22 00:49±00:29 UT at a distance of 0.00751 AU with V Relative=15.22 km/sec, H=23.4 magnitude, diameter 57 m - 130 m, 'Rarity'=2. The Condition Code=8 with a 2 day observation arc. The Earth MOID=0.00034764 AU. This is another NEO that should end up on the Potentially Hazardous Objects list.

The first reported observation was by ATLAS Chile, Rio Hurtado on 2023-07-14.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this object: [attachment=2883]

Good hnting,

Phil S.

Hi,

is there any keyboard shurtcut to open the designation search tool in the target list?

I haven't found any info in the help.

Thanks,

Markus

CNEOS predicts that this medium sized NEO will make a close approach on 2023-Jul-12 15:58±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.01904 AU with V Relative=16.38 km/sec, H=20.8 magnitude, diameter 180 m - 410 m and 'Rarity'=2. The Condition Code=0 with a 5463 day observation arc. The Earth MOID=0.00750118 AU. This bad boy is on the Potentially Hazardous Objects list. It makes approaches to Venus, Earth & Mars - an equal opportunity hazard.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Jul 5 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that this MP will reach maximum brightness of 14.8 magnitude on 2023 Jul 13 1000 EDT at a distance of 0.02 AU moving through Hydrus at 60"/minute in daylight below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. The light curve is rather flat so the peak is broad.  The close approach (to the nearest hour) is predicted to occur on 2023 Jul 12 1200 EDT (1600 UT) when the NEO is predicted to be 15.5 magnitude in Dorado moving at 42"/minute again in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. This object is best observed from the southern hemisphere, weather permitting.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this object: [attachment=2878]

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that 2 Rarity=2 close approaches will occur in the next 2 weeks. 2018 UY on 2023-Jul-12 15:58±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.01904 AU, V Relative=16.38 km/sec, H=20.8 magnitude and diameter 180 m - 410 m. This orbit is well defined.

The recently discovered NEO 2023 MG6 is predicted to follow 4 days later on 2023-Jul-16 21:39±00:38 UT at a distance of 0.02432 AU, V Relative=12.37 km/sec, H=20.5 magnitude and diameter 210 m - 470 m. Currently the Condition Code for this object is 9 with an observation arc of 4 days, so the time of close approach should become more accurate in the next few days.

It's very unusual to have 2 NEOs this large make close approaches within ~4 days although they are 7.4 and 9.5 lunar distances (LD) distant at close approach. God space is big. Neither of these objects has come within the 0.05 AU threshold that I use when looking for bright close approaches, but ST4v predicts that 2018 UY will reach maximum brightness of 14.8 magnitude on July 13.

I'll post an update as more accurate information becoms available.

Phil S.

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: [attachment=2875]

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: [attachment=2871]

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: [attachment=2869]

Good hunting,

Phil S.