2024-06-26, 06:47 PM
As of today CNEOS has reduced the uncertainty of the close approach time of 2024 MK to <1 minute. The close approach is now predicted on 2024-Jun-29 13:49±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00197 AU moving with V Relative=9.37 km/sec, H=21.8 magnitude, diameter 120 m - 260 m and 'Rarity'=3. There is now a 50 day observation arc, the Condition Code=5 and the Earth MOID=0.00178288 AU. The solution date was 2024-Jun-26 08:15:16 PDT. The initial reported observation was by ATLAS South Africa, Sutherland on 2024-06-16. This NEO is on the MPC's list of Potentilly Hazardous Asteroids.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2024 Jun 26 0000 UT, ST4 Visual predicts that the peak brightness of 8.8 magnitude will occur (to the nearest hour) on 2024 Jun 29 at 0700 EDT with the NEO 315.1k km distant traveling through Sagittarius at ~340"/minute in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Close approach (to the nearest hour) is predicted on 2024 Jun 29 at 1000 EDT when the NEO is predicted to be 9.3 magnitude in Sagittarius in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio.
This MP will be visible on the morning of June 29 in Scorpius. It's currently ~15 magnitude in Centaurus near omega Centauri..
Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO:
Here's the predicted path for this object as it makes its close approach on June 29:
Since the NEO will be very close, parallax will affect the apparent position of the MP against the background stars. The orbit is now well defined so orbital elements should give more accurate predictions. As always, elements downloaded for times nearer to the close approach (but NOT after) will give the best results.
Some users have reported problems downloading elements from JPL's HORIZONS website, so if you plan to get elements from there, don't wait until the night of the event to test out the procedure.
Good hunting,
Phil S.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2024 Jun 26 0000 UT, ST4 Visual predicts that the peak brightness of 8.8 magnitude will occur (to the nearest hour) on 2024 Jun 29 at 0700 EDT with the NEO 315.1k km distant traveling through Sagittarius at ~340"/minute in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Close approach (to the nearest hour) is predicted on 2024 Jun 29 at 1000 EDT when the NEO is predicted to be 9.3 magnitude in Sagittarius in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio.
This MP will be visible on the morning of June 29 in Scorpius. It's currently ~15 magnitude in Centaurus near omega Centauri..
Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO:
Here's the predicted path for this object as it makes its close approach on June 29:
Since the NEO will be very close, parallax will affect the apparent position of the MP against the background stars. The orbit is now well defined so orbital elements should give more accurate predictions. As always, elements downloaded for times nearer to the close approach (but NOT after) will give the best results.
Some users have reported problems downloading elements from JPL's HORIZONS website, so if you plan to get elements from there, don't wait until the night of the event to test out the procedure.
Good hunting,
Phil S.