Hello,

As advanced users of the minor planet database, I wanted to let you guys know that the latest update fixes several bugs in the minor planet database management. In particular, deleting a minor planet, or a set of elements, could truncate or corrupt your database. Adding a minor planet manually could cause similar problems.

I recommend cleaning your database (using the built-in feature) after the update, by deleting as many minor planets as possible. There is no danger in doing so, as all necessary elements are not allowed to be deleted. Once the database is as clean as you can make it, close the Minor Planet Database dialog. Then re-open it and add new and more recent orbital elements.

I apologize for these problems that I know have caused considerable trouble, and I wish you guys the best hunting in 2022!

The Apollo class MP 2021 YK is predicted to reach 16.1 Mag on the night of 2022 Jan 1-2. Here's the predicted path as seen from the Houston TX area: [attachment=2167]

From this location the path crosses NGC 891 between 21:43 to 21:44 CST.

Hope you have good weather BMD. The orbit certainty is 9 so there may be refinements in the next few days.

Phil S.

Like the planets, the large (8°x10°), faint, squashed football shaped glow resides at the anti-solar position along the ecliptic. It seems, for me, easiest to view when in Pisces during mid October. I was wondering if there is a way to illustrate/simulate its position in ST4v? Similar to the seasonal map down the page at https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/ta...420151410/

Say I want to compare the RASC Finest NGCs with the SAC Best NGCs. Or seasonal lists by different authors. What are the best ways to compare two lists, to see which objects are in both, and which objects are in one but not the other?

Thanks,
Lee

Here's a bright, fast moving MP that would be visible on Dec 19-20 except for interference from the bright moon.
It's predicted to reach 16.2 mag between 1400 EST on Dec 19 to 1400 EST on Dec 20 in Cancer. The path is shown here: 
[attachment=2154]

It will pass close to comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko & M44.

Phil S.

Although with nasty moon interference, 25°-35° away, we have a close pass of a possibly 15th magnitude (maybe 14.3) bus sized rock from space. Minimum pass distance (0.00138AU, .54LD, 207,352Km) occurs for me between midnight and 3am CST Dec. 16th. If it were bright enough for me, it would be interesting to watch it scream towards the horizon in Eridanus at a max speed of 10.3'/min! Passing less than one arc minute from both HIP 17107 (mag 7) and HIP 16535 (mag 9), 01:03:40 & 01:20:25 respectively. Between midnight until 2am, it covers near 11°. One more cool miss out of reach of my 13".

Starting at the Comet Database window, trying to search for C/2021 A1 Leonard.

In the Designation window, I have tried entering full designation (C/2021 A1 Leonard), along with C/2021 A1 and get no match. If I enter Leonard only then I get a match, but of course not the correct comet.

If I enter A1 in the Find Num I get no match either.

So, what is the secret?

Thanks
Bob

NASA’s new ‘Eyes on Asteroids’ Reveals Our Near-Earth Object Neighborhood.
Cool tool to play with.


https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-eyes...ighborhood

The Apollo class NEA 2021 XM3 is predicted to reach 16.8 mag tonight around midnight EST. Predicted motion is 1'/min - pretty fast. An IA chart is attached with the Object Info (OI) dialog included: [attachment=2139]

This one is just beyond the reach of my 13" scope, maybe someone else will have better luck.

Phil S.

Sentry-II has a tool that can rapidly calculate impact probabilities for all known NEAs.

https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasas-next...oes-online