CNEOS predicts that the recently discovered NEO 2023 FM will make a close approch on 2023-Apr-06 13:08±00:02 UT at a distance of 0.02009 AU moving at 15.81 km/sec, H=21.7 magnitude, diameter 120 m - 270 m, 'Rarity'=1, Condition Code=8, 13 day observation arc, Earth MOID 0.0198953 AU.
This object was first observed at ATLAS Chile, Rio Hurtado on 2023-03-16.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Mar 30 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that 2023 FM will reach peak brightness of 14.8 magnitude on April 5 ~0300 EDT at 0.02 AU distance moving through Bootes at 48.4"/min. This MP is predicted to be brighter than 15.5 magnitude from April 2 - 6, so there are several nights for observation despite the interfering full moon.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO: [attachment=2735]

Since the Condition Code=8, the orbit should be refined as the time of close approach nears.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO 2023 FH7 will make a close approach on 2023-Mar-30 18:08± 00:02 UT at a distance of 0.00111 AU traveling at 8.69 km/sec. H=28.7 magnitude, estimated diameter is 4.7 m - 11 m, 'Rarity'=0, Condition Code=7, with a 1 day observation arc. The Earth MOID is 0.00104039 AU. This object was first observed at Mt. Lemmon Survey on 2023-03-28.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Mar 29 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that this object will reach a peak brightness of 16.7 magnitude on  March 30 at 1300  EDT at 174.6k km distance moving through Volans at 582"/min in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus Ohio. The close approach (to the nearest hour) is predicted to occur on 2023 March 30 1400 EDT 170.5k km distant at 16.8 magnitude, still in Volans moving at 10.3 "/sec in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio.

This is a southern hemisphere screamer with very little warning. I hope Dennis's mount can track that fast  .

Here's the ST4v Object Info dialog for this NEO: [attachment=2730]

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that this medium sized NEO will make a close approach on 2023-Mar-30 08:08±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.07756 AU. It will be moving at 10.41 km/sec, H=20.2 magnitude, the size is 240 m - 540 m, 'Rarity'=1 and Condition Code=0. The Earth MOID is 0.0662636 AU so it never gets very close.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Mar 28 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that this NEO will reach a peak brightness of 15.9 magnitude on April 4 0000 EDT when it will be moving through Leo at 0.08 AU distance at 9.7"/min. Unfortunately ST4v predicts that the full moon will make visual observation impossible in a 13" scope. The nights of March 28 - April 1 are better because the moon is farther away.

Here's the Object Info dialog showing the information about this close approach: [attachment=2724]

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I'm logged in
   

But when I try to open one of Phils attachments, I get this
   

I tried logging out and then in again.

Odd thing is, I'm able to post. Just not view the attachment in Phil's post #7 at https://skyhound.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=2790.

Hi
I make myself some interesting basic lists to pick objects from.
How do I make a workflow, where I can pick say 5 objects from one list and 8 from another and copy those to a todays-list?
It seems you can only right click and copy one object at a time. Is that true?
Best regards
Lars

Just as we no longer have to worry about an impact of 2023 DW, we have this rock to watch. Looks like a possible 10th magnitude pass at a distance of 180,894Km on March 25th 19:43UT (daylight). Moving 9.3'/min

Really far better placed for southern observations. Sorry about the weather down under. For us northern folks, looks like 12th mag near midnight on the 24th moving 1.5'/min. At least there is no moon to cause issues.

I hate to be a complainer but...

We were told that all of the telescopes from New Mexico were carefully cleaned, repaired, and re-calibrated when they were moved to Utah.

I'm doing some work that requires the calibration files, and I was extremely dismayed to discover that for the telescopes I checked: T02, T21, and T11, the most recent calibration files are from 2020.

Not only have these telescopes been moved, and supposedly cleaned, and repaired, but even if they hadn't they should not be using calibration files over a year old, let alone three.

Mind blown.

Hello,

I have been doing some analysis on T72, and thought people might be interested in what I have discovered.

1. The telescope description page lists the gain as 6.0 e-/ADU, which appears to be a typo. I measured the gain from calibration images and obtained a gain of 0.69 e-/ADU, which is consistent with the number from the manufacturer as a typical gain setting.

2. I also measured the read noise, which is not listed on the web page. It was quite large: 13.5 e. This camera has two readout modes, and the read noise depends on which mode you have it set to. According to the FITS header the camera is in the 12 Mhz faster readout mode, which typically has a read noise of 11.5 e. The slower readout 3 Mhz mode has much lower read noise associated with it, often as low as 7 e. Switching to the 3 Mhz mode would greatly improve the SNR of the images from this camera, for both science and pretty pictures, but at the expense of longer readout times. I found this camera to be so noisy as to be avoided in the future.

I have passed this information in to iTelescope in the hope that they will switch to the slower read mode. I will have an update to this telescope soon, which will include the accurate gain and read noise values, and also includes a better estimate of the Sky brightness at the telescope location.

CNEOS predicts that this newly discovered NEO will make a close approach on 2023-Mar-17 11:39±00:32 UT at 0.00160 AU distance. V Relative= 8.12 km/sec H=26.5 magnitude, 14 m - 30 m diameter, Condition Code =8 and, 'Rarity'=1. It was first observed at ATLAS South Africa, Sutherland on 2023-03-13.

Using elements from MPC for 2023 Feb 25 0000 UT downloaded on March 14, ST4v predicts that this NEO will reach a maximum brightness of 14.5 magnitude on March 17 at 0600 EDT (to the nearest hour), moving through Canes Venatici at 366"/minute. Minimum Re is predicted on March 17 at 0800 EDT when the the NEO will be 246.1k km distant in Bootes moving at 396"/minute in daylight, as seen (or not) from Columbus, Ohio. Early risers in the Mountain time zone will have a shot, weather permitting.

This object wasn't included in today's download of the MPC's NEAs at Today's Epoch datafile, so I had to download it as a single object from the MPC. Unfortunately the epoch for these downloads is the standard epoch, currently 2023 Feb 25 0000 UT. It should be included in tomorrow's datafile, so no worries.

Since this is a new discovery with a 1 day observation arc, the time of close approach should improve in the next few days as the orbit is refined.

Good hunting,

Phil S.