CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO, 2025 SW, will make a close approach on 2025-Sep-25 15:56±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.01069 AU moving with V Relative=8.08 km/sec, H=22.8 magnitude, diameter 73 m - 160 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of September 21, there was a 4 day observation arc, the Condition Code=7 and the Earth MOID=0.0080382 AU. The solution date was 2025-Sep-21 06:51:31 PDT. The initial reported observation was by ATLAS Chile, Rio Hurtado on 2025-09-17. This NEO isn't quite large enough to make the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). CNEOS hasn't calculated any future close approaches as of today.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Sep 22 0000 UT, ST 4.1.11.18 Visual Pro predicts that 2025 SW will reach a peak brightness of 14.0 on 2025 Sep 25 at 2000 EDT (Sep 26 0000 UT) with 2025 SW traveling through Pegasus at ~60"/minute, but in twilight as seen from Columbus, Ohio. It will dim slightly and rise higher above the horizon as the sky darkens, offering a better view. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Sep 25 at 1200 EDT (1600 UT) when 2025 SW will be 14.1 magnitude still traveling through Pegasus at 64"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus. This NEO is predicted to be brighter than 16 magnitude from September 22 (in Capricornus) to September 28 (in Andromeda).

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2025 SW:    

Observers should follow the directions for downloading orbital elements described in the 'Important Thread' at the top of this forum section to obtain the most accurate elements for their ephemeris predictions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

As of 2025 Sep 16, the MPC has updated the epoch of the orbital elements of their MPCORB data file to Epoch 2461000.5 (2025-Nov-21.0) TDB. The previou epoch was 2025 May 5.0

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered Aten class NEO, 2025 RL2, will make a close approach on 2025-Sep-19 08:57±00:38 UT at a distance of 0.00145 AU moving with V Relative=9.68 km/sec, H=26.0 magnitude, diameter 17 m - 37 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of September 15, there is a 2 day observation arc, the Condition Code=7 and the Earth MOID=0.000219316 AU.  The solution date was 2025-Sep-15 06:52:13 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Kitt Peak-Bok on 2025-09-13.

SkyTools 4.1.11.18 Visual Pro predicts that 2025 RL2 will reach a peak brightness of 13.7 magnitude near midnight on September 19 with 2025 RL2 traveling through Pegasus at ~340"/minute. It's still predicted to be 14.1 magnitude at close approach in Aquila, but below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Observers farther west should be able to catch it closer to the time of close approach.

I'll post an update after the orbit has been refined further.

There were several bright MPs that passed us on September 11-13 that were detected after they'd already passed by like 2025 RO2 and 2025 RQ2.

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the recently discovered Amor class NEO, 2025 PJ1, will make a close approach on 2025-Sep-21 20:20±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.02971 AU moving with V Relative=11.85 km/sec, H=22.2 magnitude, diameter 98 m - 220 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of Sep 13, there is a 42 day observation arc, the Condition Code=6 and the Earth MOID=0.0264803 AU. The solution date was 2025-Sep-13 06:19:10 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 2, Haleakala on 2025-08-02. The absolute magnitude (H) of 2025 PJ1 is just 0.2 magnitude too high at 22.2 magnitude to make MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). CNEOS hasn't predicted any future close approaches.

Using MPC's elements for the epoch 2025 Sep 13 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.16 Visual Pro predicts that 2025 PJ1 will reach a peak brightness of 15.8 magnitude around midnight on September 22 traveling through Aquarius at 32"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 September 21 at 1600 EDT (2000 UT) with 2025 PJ1 0.03 AU distant traveling through Aquarius at 33.5"/minute, but in daylight below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Europe and Africa are the best locations to observe the close approach.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2025 PJ1:    

Observers should follow the directions in the "Important Thread" at the top of this forum section for instructions on downloading the most recent orbital elements into their minor planet database. This will give the most accurate position calculations.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Hello everyone,

I have released an update with various fixes and a new version 4.1. feature.

The new feature is Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas chart numbers. Its available for those who have upgraded to SkyTools Imaging/Visual 4.1. 

These chart numbers have been added to the Object Info on the Chart Numbers tab. 

They are also displayed in a column of the Nightly Planner, Real Time, or Target Selection tools. To enable the column, click the gear icon next to the the column scheme menu. Check the box next to Interstellarum Deep Sky. 

I appreciate everyone's patience. EAA is almost ready for SkyTools Visual 4.1. Other features will follow soon after, and I have promised to release at least one new feature with every update.

As always the full list of fixes is here: https://skyhound.com/stupdate4.html

Looks like another potentially bright comet has been posted on PCCP, but with only a small arc so far. However SWAN25B appears to be around 8th mag and visible in binos in the southern hemisphere. If the orbit is anywhere near correct and this is not a disintegration outburst the northern hemisphere should get it end of Sept

Is there a way to start the program always on Night Vision Mode?

Hi,

I have not use the app for a few years, but I would like to try again.

I remember writing notes beside the item I looked to remember later on.
Like: Easy find or Couldn't separate

Is that capability gone?

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?