2025-12-08, 06:54 PM
CNEOS predicts that the kilometer-sized, Apollo class NEA, (220839) 2004 VA, will make a close approach on 2025-Dec-30 23:49±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.09594 AU moving with V Relative=12.29 km/sec. H=17.4 magnitude, diameter 870 m - 1.9 km and 'Rarity'=1. As of December 7 there was a 8166 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0233217 AU. The solution date was 2025-Dec-07 05:19:12 PST. This NEA was discovered 2004-11-01 by LONEOS at Anderson Mesa. A closer approach is predicted on 2039-May-03 20:44±<00:01 UT at 0.06096 AU. This NEA 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 Dec 7 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.19 Visual Pro predicts that (220839) 2004 VA will reach a peak brightness of 15.2 magnitude from December 12 to December 21. On 2025 Dec 16 at 2100 EST it is predicted to be 15.2 magnitude traveling through Cetus at ~6"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 December 30 at 1900 EST (Dec 31 0000 UT) with the MP 0.096 AU distant traveling through Aquarius at 16.7 magnitude and ~11"/minute. It should be brighter than 16 magnitude from November 25 (in Taurus) to Dec 27 (in Aquarius). It's currently a predicted magnitude 15.3 object in Cetus.
Here's the Object Info dialog for (220839) 2004 VA:
Since the orbit for this object is well defined and the close approach distance is nearly 0.1 AU, MPC's orbital elements should provide accurate positions.
Good hunting,
Phil S.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Dec 7 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.19 Visual Pro predicts that (220839) 2004 VA will reach a peak brightness of 15.2 magnitude from December 12 to December 21. On 2025 Dec 16 at 2100 EST it is predicted to be 15.2 magnitude traveling through Cetus at ~6"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 December 30 at 1900 EST (Dec 31 0000 UT) with the MP 0.096 AU distant traveling through Aquarius at 16.7 magnitude and ~11"/minute. It should be brighter than 16 magnitude from November 25 (in Taurus) to Dec 27 (in Aquarius). It's currently a predicted magnitude 15.3 object in Cetus.
Here's the Object Info dialog for (220839) 2004 VA:
Since the orbit for this object is well defined and the close approach distance is nearly 0.1 AU, MPC's orbital elements should provide accurate positions.
Good hunting,
Phil S.