Now with 29 obs over 7 days, the info on this large PHA is getting locked in but still no old data from past due to the infrequent close passes.

I think the big guys may be able to track it until early June when it crosses the 24th mag zone.

The next near Earth pass is scary close:
2028-Nov-16 05:36 ± 4_11:31 Earth minimum distance  0.0e+0

This rock is no pebble - H = 19.8 <=> 290~650 m 

Hard hats required.

CNEOS predicts that this newly discovered NEO will make a close approach on 2023-Apr-20 05:07±00:03 UT at a distance of 0.00228 AU, V Relative=15.93 km/sec, H=27.1, estimated size 10 m - 23 m, 'Rarity'=1. Condition Code=8 with a 2 day observation arc. The Earth MOID=0.00225718 AU. This object was first observed at Mt. Lemmon Survey on 2023-04-16. This is a near optimum pass!

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Apr 18 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that close approach will occur on (to the nearest hour) 2023 Apr 20 0100 EDT when 2023 HK is predicted to be 17.5 magnitude moving through Cygnus at 578"/min. Maximum brightness of 16.7 magnitude occurs 2023 Apr 19 2200 EDT with 2023 HK 386.2k km distant moving through Draco at 461"/min.

This one is really moving and parallax will affect the apparent position against the stars, so anyone attempting to observe this close approach will need to download the orbital elements and create their own finder charts. Here's the Object Info dialog for 2023 HK: [attachment=2765]

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I used the “Database Power Search Tool” in SkyTools 4 Imaging to select and download a list of Quasars in Virgo with a Redshift (z) between 4 and 6.

On that list I found BTC40 J1429+011 listed at Magnitude: 19.40 I, so I thought I’d fit my IR Pass IR742 filter and see if I could record this Quasar. An on-line search indicated the following:

SIMBAD Basic data :
[VV2006] J142926.5+011954 -- Quasar
ICRS coord. (ep=J2000): 14 29 26.4254653128 +01 19 53.572666764 (Optical)
B 24.55
V 22.53
G 20.579714
u (AB) 23.63
g (AB) 24.04
r (AB) 21.121
i (AB) 19.731
z (AB) 19.578

Although I could not hope to record objects at mag 23 or 24, I figured I might be in with a chance at i=19.731 using my IR742 Filter.

SkyTools 4 showed this Quasar with a Redshift (z): 4.84 and Light Time: 13.0 Gyr.

IMAGING DATA

• I captured 60x60 sec exposures.
  
• Tak Mewlon 210 F11.5
  
• Tak x0.8 Reducer
  
• ZWO ASI294MM Pro Camera
  
• Bin 2x2 (3126x2088 Pixels)
  
• IR Pass Filter IR742.
  
• Suburban Bortle 6/7 skies.
  

• Full FOV showing a 1600x1600 crop overlay
  
• My inverted 1600x1600 crop showing the “ghost” position of the Quasar.
  
• An enlarged composite showing the offset between the actual position and my "ghost" object.
  

• Center (RA, Dec): (217.333, 1.368)
  
• Center (RA, hms): 14h 29m 20.033s
  
• Center (Dec, dms): +01° 22' 03.673"
  
• Size: 11.7 x 11.7 arcmin
  
• Radius: 0.138 deg
  
• Pixel scale: 0.439 arcsec/pixel
  
• Orientation: Up is 359.9 degrees E of N
  

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO 2023 HH will make a close approach on  2023-Apr-18 12:49±00:02 UT at a distance of 0.00096 AU while traveling at 10.62 km/sec. H=28.9, the size is 4.5 m - 10.0 m, 'Rarity'=0, Condition Code=7, with a 1 day observation arc. The Earth MOID=8.46484E-5 AU. This NEO was first observed at Pan-STARRS 2, Haleakala on 2023-04-16.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Apr 17 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that close approach will occur (to the nearest hour) on 2023 Apr 18 0900 EDT at 16.4 magnitude traveling through Sagittarius at 14.4"/sec in daylight from Columbus, Ohio. This object is predicted to reach a peak brightness of 15.8 magnitude on 2023 Apr 18 1800 EDT at 182.1k km in Lupus moving at 547.7"/min in twilight from Columbus, Ohio. 

Here's the Object Info dialog for this object: [attachment=2761]

This was one of 30 NEOs added to the MPC's list of objects today! 

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I had the opportunity to grab some images of the ESA Jupiter Icy moons Explorer ("JUICE") from Brisbane on 15th April 2023. The original launch date was 13th April, but this was delayed due to poor weather until the 14th April 2023. On that evening, apart from a few clouds, JUICE was below my obstructed horizon.

The Jupiter Icy moons Explorer ("JUICE") is an ESA mission launched on 14th April 2023 from French Guiana (ELA-3) on an Ariane 5. Its period and area of operations will overlap with NASA's Europa Clipper mission launching in 2024.

The next evening, 15th April, I used the JPL Horizons System to generate an ephemeris for my location and observing period, including the RA and DEC coordinates for both J2000 and Apparent data.

I plugged the J2000 coordinates into the “Object Requestor” “Enter Coordinate” Dialog in ST4 Imaging, which centred me in the predicted field.

After a GoTo and a couple of test exposures I was astonished to find two objects moving along the same trajectory? The “main” object I assume was JUICE and the other trail must have been the rocket booster? These are the 2 horizontal trails, the diagonal trail at bottom left zipped through the field early on in the series.

I managed to record 60x60 sec exposures (some cloud interrupted) and to make things a little more interesting, we had a power outage part way through the evening and I had to re-boot everything and start over.

Tak Mewlon 210 F11.5
Tak x0.8 Reducer
FL=2100mm at F10.3.
QHY268M Camera.

15th April 2023, 9:13PM to 10:14PM AEST
UTC: 2023-04-15T11:13 to 12:14.
Brisbane.

Cheers

Dennis

   

   

CNEOS predicts that the Aten class NEO 2006 HV5 will make a close approach on 2023-Apr-26 03:43±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.01618 AU traveling  17.42 km/sec. H=19.7 magnitude for this medium-sized object with diameter 0.307±0.076 km, 'Rarity'=2, Condition Code=0. The Earth MOID=0.0154196 AU.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Apr 14 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that this NEO will reach a peak brightness of 15.1 magnitude on April 24 at 0500 EDT when the object is 0.02 AU distant moving through Draco at 39.7"/min. At close approach the predicted brightness is 15.4 magnitude moving through Andromeda at 90.5 "/min just above the horizon and undetectable in a 13" telescope from Columbus, Ohio.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this close approach: [attachment=2758]

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I used the “Database Power Search Tool” in SkyTools 4 Imaging to select and download a list of Quasars with a Redshift (z) between 4 and 6.

One of these was BR 1202-0725 in Virgo with z = 4.69

Summary of Quasar details from ST4 Imaging:
BR 1202-0725, Quasar, aka Q1202-0725
R.A.  12h05m23.1s Dec.: -07°42'32" (2000) in Virgo
Magnitude: 18.70 R
Redshift (z): 4.69
Light Time: 12.0 Gyr
Apparent Data for 2023 Apr 9  GMT+10:
Apparent RA:  12h06m35.3s, Apparent Dec: -07°50'23"

Tak Mewlon 210 F11.5
Tak x0.8 Reducer
QHY268M Pro camera 53x60 sec exposures

To pinpoint the location, along with the DSS Download from within ST4, I also used a reference image from a paper titled “ISO observations of the dusty quasar BR 1202-0725” at:

ISO observations of the dusty quasar BR 1202-0725 | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society | Oxford Academic (oup.com)

From the Bortle 6/7 skies of suburban Brisbane, I was able to record stars beyond mag 20.

Cheers

Dennis

   

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO 2023 GG will make a close approach on 2023-Apr-11 00:25±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.01018 AU moving at 10.59 km/sec. H=23.3 magnitude, the diameter is 59 m - 130 m, 'Rarity'=1, Condition Code=7, 3 day observation arc. The Earth MOID=0.00395153 AU. This NEO was first observed at ATLAS South Africa, Sutherland on 2023-04-05.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Apr 8 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that this NEO will reach a peak brightness of 15.6 magnitude on 2023 Apr 9 at 2200 EDT when it will be moving through Hydra at 66"/min. The predicted close approach time (to the nearest hour) is 2023 Apr 10 at 2000 EDT at 15.7 magnitude moving through Cancer at 87"/min in daylight from Columbus, Ohio.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this close approach: [attachment=2750]

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the large NEO (436774) 2012 KY3 will make a close approach on 2023-Apr-13 19:08 ± < 00:01 UT at a distance of 0.03198 AU with V Relative=17.55 km/sec, H=18.5 magnitude, a diameter 540 m - 1.2 km and 'Rarity'=2. The Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0238409 AU. The orbit is well known.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Apr 3 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that this NEO will reach a peak brightness of 14.2 magnitude on the evening of April 14/15 at 0.04 AU distance moving through Octans at ~30"/min below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. The close approach (to the nearest hour) on 2023 Apr 13 at 1500 EDT, 15.3 magnitude and 0.03 AU distance occurs in Grus with the NEO moving at 44.9"/min still below the horizon, now in daylight. This is a southern hemisphere object, weather permitting.

Here's the Object Info dialog showing the data at close approach: [attachment=2743]

Good hunting,

Phil S.

A friend of mine posted this to an IO group I am a member of:

I have a series of images that show the passage of an asteroid on August 29, 2022 just past midnight near NGC559 in the constellation of Cassiopeia.  Anyone have any information on where I can look to identify this asteroid?

I opened up SkyTools 4 Imaging for the date and time mentioned, and in the Chart Control - View option, I had Minor Planets checked.  Under Lebels, I had them activated and Minor Planets checked.  I did not see any asteroids on the Interactive Atlas.

Am I doing something wrong in trying to see the asteroids that passed NGC 559 on the night of August 29, 2022?

Jack Huerkamp