Yesterday, 05:42 PM
CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized, Apollo-class, NEA, 2001 KF54 will make a close approach on 2026-Nov-06 03:38±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.04842 AU moving with V Relative 16.42 km/sec, H=19.8 magnitude, diameter 290 m - 650 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of 2026 June 9, there is a 9144 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0206514 AU. The solution date was 2026-Jun-09 06:49:52 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Steward Observatory, Kitt Peak-Spacewatch on 2001-05-26. This object is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools. There will be another close approach on 2062-Jul-04 19:16±<00:01 UT at 0.03214 AU.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 October 13 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.21 Visual Pro predicts that 2001 KF54 will reach a peak brightness of 15.4 magnitude on November 9 ~2200 EST (November 10 ~0300 UT) with the NEA traveling through Cetus at 0.061 AU distant and 17"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on November 5 at 2300 EST (0400 UT) with the NEA traveling through Grus 0.048 AU distant at 15.9 magnitude and 28"/minute on the horizon as seen from Columbus, Ohio (40°N). 2001 KF54 is predicted to be brighter than 16 magnitude from November 5 (in Grus) to November 14 (in Cetus).
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2001 KF54:
The orbit for 2001 KF54 is well defined and the approach distance is large enough that the orbital elements from the MPC should be accurate. The NEA is currently in Scorpius in daylight, but may be reacquired nearer to the close approach and the orbit will be refined further. I'll post an update if this occurs.
Good hunting,
Phil S.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 October 13 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.21 Visual Pro predicts that 2001 KF54 will reach a peak brightness of 15.4 magnitude on November 9 ~2200 EST (November 10 ~0300 UT) with the NEA traveling through Cetus at 0.061 AU distant and 17"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on November 5 at 2300 EST (0400 UT) with the NEA traveling through Grus 0.048 AU distant at 15.9 magnitude and 28"/minute on the horizon as seen from Columbus, Ohio (40°N). 2001 KF54 is predicted to be brighter than 16 magnitude from November 5 (in Grus) to November 14 (in Cetus).
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2001 KF54:
The orbit for 2001 KF54 is well defined and the approach distance is large enough that the orbital elements from the MPC should be accurate. The NEA is currently in Scorpius in daylight, but may be reacquired nearer to the close approach and the orbit will be refined further. I'll post an update if this occurs.
Good hunting,
Phil S.