11 minutes ago
CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered Apollo class NEO, 2025 SS5, will make a close approach on 2025-Sep-28 22:08±00:05 UT at a distance of 0.00070 AU moving with V Relative=7.96 km/sec, H=27.8 magnitude, diameter 7.5 m - 17 m and 'Rarity'=1. There is a 3 day observation arc, the Condition Code=6 and the Earth MOID=0.000771147 AU. The solution date was 2025-Sep-26 06:52:08 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Mt. Lemmon Survey on 2025-09-23. This object is too small to make MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). CNEOS predicts close approaches on 2038 Sep 30 and 2053 Apr 2, but the uncertainties are > one day for the time of close approach.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Sep 26 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.18 Visual Pro predicts that 2025 SS5 will reach a peak brightness of 14.5 magnitude on September 28 at 1600 EDT (2000 UT) with the NEO 129.7k km distant traveling through Cygnus at 10.2"/second, but in daylight in Columbus, Ohio. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 September 28 at 1900 EDT (2300 UT) with the NEO 111.64k km distant traveling through Draco at 15.2"/second and 15.5 magnitude, but still in daylight. The best view of 2025 SS5 will be on the morning of September 28 from Columbus and eastern North America. 2025 SS5 should be well placed for European observers, if it's dark enough.
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2025 SS5:
This NEO will pass very close so parallax will be an issue. Observers should follow the instructions in the 'Important Thread' at the top of this forum section to download the most accurate orbital elements. The elements are still being refined for this object, but I don't think that I'll be able to post an update for this NEO tomorrow.
Good hunting,
Phil S.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Sep 26 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.18 Visual Pro predicts that 2025 SS5 will reach a peak brightness of 14.5 magnitude on September 28 at 1600 EDT (2000 UT) with the NEO 129.7k km distant traveling through Cygnus at 10.2"/second, but in daylight in Columbus, Ohio. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 September 28 at 1900 EDT (2300 UT) with the NEO 111.64k km distant traveling through Draco at 15.2"/second and 15.5 magnitude, but still in daylight. The best view of 2025 SS5 will be on the morning of September 28 from Columbus and eastern North America. 2025 SS5 should be well placed for European observers, if it's dark enough.
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2025 SS5:
This NEO will pass very close so parallax will be an issue. Observers should follow the instructions in the 'Important Thread' at the top of this forum section to download the most accurate orbital elements. The elements are still being refined for this object, but I don't think that I'll be able to post an update for this NEO tomorrow.
Good hunting,
Phil S.