CNEOS predicts that the Apollo class NEO, 2009 FF, will make a close approach on 2025-Sep-11 17:31±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.01747 AU moving with V Relative=12.93 km/sec, H=21.8 magnitude, diameter 120 m - 260 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of 2021 Aug 25, there was a 12402 day observation  arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0150244 AU. The solution date was 2021-Aug-25 05:48:32 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Mt. Lemmon Survey on 2009-03-16. The observation arc was extended by 2 observations on 1984-04-05 by Siding Spring Observatory-DSS. This will be its closest pass to earth for the next 150 years. 2009 FF 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 Sep 3 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.16 Visual Pro predicts that 2009 FF will reach a peak brightness of 15.5 magnitude on the morning of Sep 13 traveling through Lacerta at a distance of 0.02 AU at 42"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Sep 11 at 1400 EDT(1800 UT) traveling through Draco at a distance of 0.02 AU, 61"/minute and 16.3 magnitude, but in daylight as seen from Columbus, Ohio. The NEO should be brighter than 16 magnitude from Sep 12 (in Draco) to Sep 15 (in Pegasus).

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2009 FF:    

This NEO's orbit is well defined and it doesn't pass closer than 0.01 AU, but observers should still follow the instructions in the "Important" thread at the top of this forum section for the most accurate ephemeris predictions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Hi everyone,
I’ve been exploring SkyTools lately and I’m particularly interested in planning observations of dark nebulae. While the software is excellent for emission and reflection nebulae, I find dark nebulae a bit more challenging, especially in terms of visibility prediction and field placement.
For example, when I planned a session for Barnard objects last month, the suggested observing windows looked fine on paper, but at the eyepiece the contrast was lower than I expected. I suspect this may be more sensitive to sky brightness and transparency than other object types.
So I’m wondering:

• How do you use SkyTools to optimize observing dark nebulae?
  
• Do you tweak the software’s magnitude/surface brightness settings, or do you rely more on personal field notes and star charts?
  
• Any recommended catalogues that integrate well with SkyTools for this purpose?
  

CNEOS predicts the close approach of the newly discovered Apollo class NEO, 2025 QD8, on 2025-Sep-03 15:05±03:39 UT at a distance of 0.00146 AU moving with V Relative=12.78 km/sec, H=26.1 magnitude, diameter 16 m - 37 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of August 27 there is a 2 day observation arc, the Condition Code=9 and the Earth MOID=0.000743759 AU. The solution date was 2025-Aug-27 19:12:02 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2025-08-26.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Aug 28 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.16 Visual Pro predicts that 2025 QD8 will reach a peak brightness of 13.6 magnitude on Sep 3 at 0600 EDT (1000 UT)  with the NEO traveling through Pisces at 330"/minute. Close approach (to the nearest hour) is predicted on Sep 3 at 1100 EDT (1500 UT) with the NEO traveling through Andromeda at 14.1 magnitude and 11.8"/second, but in daylight in Columbus, Ohio. This close approach looks like it will be best observed from Hawaii, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. If the early predictions are correct, 2025 QD8 will still  reach 13.6 magnitude in the early morning of Sep 3 in the Eastern Time Zone and points west although the close approach will occur during daylight.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2025 QD8:    

The orbit for 2025 QD8 is still very uncertain so I plan to post an update after more observations are available to refine it.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered Apollo class NEO, 2025 QO7, will make a close approach on 2025-Aug-31 14:09±00:55 UT at a distance of 0.00183 AU moving with V Relative=8.17 km/sec, H=26.6 magnitude, diameter 13 m - 28 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of August 27 there is a 1 day observation arc, the Condition Code=8 and the Earth MOID=0.00108417 AU. The solution date was 2025-Aug-27 03:42:01 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Observatorio Campo dos Amarais on 2025-08-26. This NEO is too small to make the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs).

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Aug 27 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.16 Visual Pro predicts that 2025 QO7 will reach a peak brightness of 14.4 magnitude on the early morning of August 31 at a distance of 370k km traveling through Pegasus at ~190"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on August 31 at 1100 EDT (1500 UT) with the MP predicted to be 15.0 magnitude traveling through Andromeda at 352"/minute, but in daylight as seen from Columbus, Ohio. This close approach is well placed for Japan or Australia and New Zealand.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2025 QO7:    

Since the orbit isn't well defined yet and the object will pass close by, observers should follow the directions in the post "Important Threads" at the top of this forum section for directions on downloading orbital elements for best accuracy.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, 1998 SH2, will make a close approach on 2025-Aug-30 13:25±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.02078 AU moving with V Relative=17.30 km/sec, H=20.8 magnitude, diameter 0.383±0.057 km and 'Rarity'=2. As of 2021 Apr 14, there was a 6615 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0189195 AU. The solution date was 2021-Apr-14 20:48:31 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Steward Observatory, Kitt Peak-Spacewatch on 1998-09-17. This minor planet is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). The close approach predicted on 2061-Sep-03 17:25 ±  00:01 UT is even closer than the current Earth MOID at 0.01647 AU.

Using MPC's orbital elements for 2025 Aug 16 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.16 Visual Pro predicts that 1998 SH2 will reach a peak brightness of 14.8 magnitude on September 1 at 0400 EDT (0700 UT) with the NEO 0.03 AU distant traveling through Phoenix at ~40"/minute near the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on August 30 at 0900 EDT (1300 UT) with 1998 SH2 0.02 AU distant and 15.5 magnitude traveling through Dorado at 70"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus. This object will be best observed from the southern hemisphere, but observers in the southern USA should have a good view as well. Above 40°N, not-so-much. It will move to the north and be better positioned for northern hemisphere observers from September 2 to September 5, however.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 1998 SH2:    

This MP's orbit is well defined and it's not passing very close, but the orbital elements haven't been recalculated since 2021. I expected that CNEOS would have updated the orbit by now, but no joy. Observers should follow the instructions for obtaining the most recent orbital elements as described in the top post of this forum section for the most accurate position predictions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I missed the close approach of this kilometer-sized Aten class NEO, (2100) Ra-Shalom, on 2025-Aug-12 15:42±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.17290 AU moving with V Relative=12.22 km/sec,  H=16.2 magnitude, diameter 2.3±0.2 km and 'Rarity'=1. As of August 24 there is a  18222 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.15004 AU. The solution date was 2025-Aug-24 06:51:49 PDT. This NEO was discovered 1978-09-10 by Helin, E. F. at Palomar.

It's currently 14.7 magnitude and fading slowly traveling through Sagitta at 5"/minute. It is predicted to remain brighter than 16 magnitude through 2025 Sep 15 when it will be in Aquila.

Here's the Object Info dialog for (2100) Ra-Shalom:    

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Mark your calendars minor planet hunters!

CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, 2025 FA22, will make a close approach on 2025-Sep-18 07:42±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00563 AU moving with V Relative=10.79 km/sec, H=21.6 magnitude, diameter 120 m - 280 m and 'Rarity'=3. As of 2025 Jul 24, there was a 4892 day observation arc, the  Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.00173467 AU. The solution date was 2025-Jul-24 08:34:04 PDT. The initial observation was by Pan-STARRS 2, Haleakala on 2025 03 29. The observation arc was extended by additional observations by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2012 02 26, 2012 11 01 and 2014 03 12. This NEO is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs).

Using MPC's elements for 2025 Aug 14 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.16 Visual Pro predicts that this NEO will reach a peak brightness of 13.2 magnitude on Sep 18 at 2300 EDT (Sep 19 0300 UT) traveling through Taurus at 90"/minute near the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Close apoproach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Sep 18 at 0400 EDT (0800 UT) with 2025 FA22 predicted to be 14 magnitude traveling through Orion at 160"/minute.

I'll post an update closer to the date of the close approach.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I'm using Sky tools 4 with windows 11 and I am trying to connect it to a Celestron CPC 1100 using a serial port connection. When I hit connect to scope it says telescope connected and immediately gives me a sky tools has performed a fatal error and shuts down. can you help me?

CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, 1997 QK1, will make a close approach on 2025-Aug-20 10:25±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.02013 AU moving with V Relative=9.83 km/sec, H=20.3 magnitude, diameter 240 m - 530 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of 2025 Jun 20, there is a 10159 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0, and the Earth MOID=0.0168972 AU. The solution date was 2025-Jun-20 06:47:42 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Maunakea on 1997-08-27. This NEO is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). The next close approach to Earth on 2039-Jul-11 09:30± 00:03 UT at a distance of 0.01586 AU is closer than the current Earth MOID.

Using elements downloaded from Lowell (ASTORB) on 2025 Aug 1 for the epoch 2025 Aug 13 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.16 Visual Pro predicts that 1997 QK1 will reach a peak brightness of 15.5 magnitude on the morning of 2025 Aug 23 when the NEO will be traveling through Cassiopeia at 24"/minute. Close approach (to the nearest hour) is predicted on 2025 Aug 20 at 0600 EDT (1000 UT) with the NEO 0.02 AU distant  traveling through Draco at 41"/minute in twilight as seen from Columbus, Ohio. This NEO should be brighter than 16 magnitude from August 21 (in Camelopardalis) to August 26 (in Andromeda).

Here's the Object Info dialog for 1997 QK1:    

The orbit for this MP is well defined and doesn't come too close, but observers should still use orbital elements close to their time of observation for the most accurate positions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, 2025 OW, will make a close approach on 2025-Jul-28 19:42±00:17 UT at a distance of 0.00423 AU moving with V Relative=20.97 km/sec, H=23.6 magnitude, diameter 51 m - 110 m and 'Rarity'=2. The Condition Code=8 so the orbit still needs some refinement.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Jul 22 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.15 Visual Pro predicts that 2025 OW will reach a maximum brightness of 14.8 magnitude in Hercules on 2025 Jul 28 1000 EDT (1400 UT).

I'll post an update in a few days after the orbit's been further refined. Just wanted to provide a heads up.

Good hunting,

Phil S.