CNEOS predicts that the newly-discovered NEA, 2026 GD, will make a close approach on 2026-Apr-09 23:00±00:10 UT at a distance of 0.00168 AU moving with V Relative=12.66 km/sec, H=26.6 magnitude, diameter 13 m - 29 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of April 7, there is a 1 day observation arc, the  Condition Code=7 and the Earth MOID=0.00052541 AU. The solution date was 2026-Apr-07 00:42:03 PDT. The initial reported observation was by MAPS, San Pedro de Atacama on 2026-04-06. This is the same group of observers that discovered comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS).

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Apr 7 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that 2026 GD will reach a peak brightness of 14.8 magnitude on April 9 at 1500 EDT (1900 UT) at a distance of 311.8k km traveling through Lupus at ~400"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 Apr 9 at 1900 EDT (2300 UT) at 253.0k km when the NEA will be traveling through Corona Australis at 15.5 magnitude and 10.3"/second, but still in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus. This object will be best visible from the southern hemisphere.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2026 GD:    

The orbit for this NEA is still being refined. Observers should follow the directions in the "Important Threads" section for instruction on how to download the orbatal elements for the most accurate predictions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

I have some sad and upsetting news. According to a report on the amastro group, our friend Owen Brazell has passed away. From the report: "Apparently, he was involved in a deadly vehicle accident on Monday while on the way to the Kelling Heath Star Party in North Norfolk, UK. At 68 years old, I know he was quite active in promoting amateur astronomy as he was the current President of the Webb Society and the Editor of their magazine, The Deep Sky Observer."

I never met Owen in person, but he had been a SkyTools user since 1999, and was responsible for many features and catalog additions. 

Owen was a passionate visual observer, something I respect and admire--to the point where he made it quite clear that he was unhappy with me for developing an imaging version of SkyTools. His presence on forums, advocacy for visual observing, and fellowship will be missed.

Here's an article about the bright bolide that was visible during daylight on St. Patrick's Day, March 17:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/susp...18509.html

NASA estimated that the asteroid was ~6 feet in diameter and weighed ~7 tons. It was observed from Wisconsin to Maryland and exploded with an energy of 250 tons of TNT. The sound was heard throughout northeastern Ohio.

This object doesn't appear to have been detected before it entered the atmosphere. I thought that some would find this interesting.

Phil S.

Hello All,

Christina LeGrand here.   With the weather getting warmer, I hear the call of the telescope to get back out there.   What have you all found to be the best sort sequence for presenting objects on an observing list?   I typically sort on "Best" or "Transit"; but invariably, I miss out on some early or late objects.   So I have been trying to sort on "Rise" and maybe "Best" within that.   Or "End".   Or ... ?  

Has anyone found a sort sequence they really like, that helps them see the most objects during a session?   Thanks for any ideas - I will be getting the scope out tomorrow night to give it a whirl.  

Thank you for any thoughts,
Christina LeGrand

CNEOS predicts that the newly-discovered Aten-class NEA, 2026 EE2 made a close approach on 2026-Mar-12 16:07±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00558 AU,  moving with V Relative=7.30 km/sec,  H=24.4 magnitude, diameter 35 m - 78 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of March 12, there is a 2 day observation arc, the Condition Code=5 and the Earth MOID=0.00393894 AU. The solution date was 2026-Mar-12 00:22:20 PDT. The initial reported observation was by ATLAS South Africa, Sutherland on 2026-03-10. This NEA is too small to make the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools. This object won't be this close for 100 years. It will make another close approach on 2026-Sep-29 14:40 ±  04:28 UT at a nominal distance of 0.1846 AU.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Mar 12 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that 2026 EE2 will reach a peak brightness of 14.0 magnitude on 2026 March 13 at 0200 EDT (0600 UT) at a distance of 913.2k km traveling through Virgo at 91.5"/minute. Close approach was predicted on 2026 March 12 at 1200 EDT (1600 UT) at a distance of 835.6k km traveling through Hydra at 109"/minute and 14.4 magnitude, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. This MP is predicted to remain brighter than 16 magnitude through March 14 in Canes Venatici.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2026 EE2:    

Since this object will pass close by, observers should follow the directions in the "Important Thread" at the top of this Forum section for instructions to download orbital elements elements from JPL's HORIZONS website for the most accurate orbital elements.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

CNEOS predicts that the recently discovered NEA, 2026 CU1, will make a close approach on 2026-Feb-26 21:22±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00822 AU moving with V Relative=8.40 km/sec, H=24.5 magnitude, diameter 34 m - 75 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of 2026 Feb 22, there is a 41 day observation arc, the Condition Code=6 and the Earth MOID=0.000387542 AU. The solution date was 2026-Feb-22 05:51:51 PST. The initial reported observation was by Purple Mountain Observatory, XuYi Station on 2026-02-10. The observation arc was extended by observations on 2026-1-11 by Pan-STARRS 2, Haleakala, 2026-1-21&24 by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala and 2026-2-6 by Mt. Lemmon Survey. It's predicted to be 0.016 AU distant on 2111 April 21. This NEA is too small to make the MPC/s list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Feb 22 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that 2026 CU1 will reach peak brightness of 15.3 magnitude on the morning of February 25 (0100 EST, 0600 UT) with the NEA traveling through Leo at 41"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 Feb 26 1600 EST (2100 UT) with the MP traveling through Virgo at 1233.5k km distant, 15.8 magnitude and 87"/minute, but in daylight below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. The close approach should be observable from Australia, weather permitting.

Here's the object Indo dialog for 2026 CU1:     

This NEA will pass close by so observers should follow the instructions in the "Important Thread" at the top of this forum section to download the most up-to-date orbital elements for their predictions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Is there a way to transfer an observing list from SkyTools 4 Visual to SkyTools 4 Imaging? I thought I remembered doing it before, but maybe not. I've tried a few ways and have been unsuccessful. 
Thanks.
Marie

Not sure if anyone else has already posted this but I found that https://copilot.microsoft.com/ can be used to digitise screenshots of published charts of filter transmission and camera QE.  Using local versions of copilot wouldn't let me upload the jpg or png files but the web version did and can provide a simple CSV file.
I usesd the following question:   "Digitise an image of a chart and create a csv format file tabulating the values" and then uploaded the image file.  Of course you need to check the values against the chart and then maybe normalise but I think it did a good job.  
Cheers, Les

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CNEOS predicts that the recently discovered NEA, 2026 AH17, will make a close approach on 2026-Feb-20 22:26±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.02893 AU moving with V Relative=7.30 km/sec, H=23.2 magnitude, diameter 61 m - 140 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of February 9 there is a 29 day observation arc, the Condition Code=6 and the Earth MOID=0.0281808 AU. The solution date was 2026-Feb-09 05:20:16 PST. The initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2026-01-11. This approach is close to the MOID. It's not quite large enough to make the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools. PHAs have absolute magnitude (H) values <22.0 magnitude.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 February 9 0000 UT, ST 4.1.11.20 Visual Pro predicts that 2026 AH17 will reach a peak brightness of 15.7 magnitude on the evening of February 20 at 2300 EST at a distance of 0.029 AU while traveling through Leo at 20"/minute. The close approach is predicted on February 20 at 1700 EST with the object still at 15.7 magnitude and 0.029 AU traveling through Leo at 21"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2026 AH17:    

The orbit for this NEA is pretty well determined, but observers should monitor the CNEOS website to see if the orbit has been refined further. For the most accurate orbital elements, refer to the 'Important Thread' at the top of this forum section for instructions on how to download the most up-to-date elements to your Minor Planet database.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Hello,

I have some of my observations logged on SkyTools on a laptop that is not turning on anymore. I extracted the HDD from the computer and I can access them from another one. I tried to recover from the backup but looks that there is some observations missing. There is any way to recover the information on the original files and copy it to another computer to access the missing observations?

Thank you. Clear skies,

Carles