2023-01-22, 06:50 PM
CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO 2023 BU will make a close approach on 2023-Jan-26 21:17 ± 02:22 UT at a distance of 0.00007AU. H=29.3 magnitude, V relative=9.33 km/sec, 'Rarity' = 2, Condition Code = 7. This MP was discovered at MARGO, Nauchnij on 2023-01-21.
Using MPC's elements for February 25 2023 00:00 UT, ST4v predicts that this MP will reach a peak brightness of 16.1 magnitude on January 25 at 1800 EST when the NEO will be moving through Sagittarius at 14.2"/sec at 36.0k km distance. Close approach (to the nearest hour) is predicted to occur on January 25 at 1800 EST (2300 UT) when 2023 BU at 16.1 magnitude will be moving through Sagittarius at 14.2"/sec , 36.0k km distant but below the horizon as seen from Columbus, Ohio. Unfortunately ST4v predicts that it will not be observable with a 13" telescope under those conditions.
The Minimun Re occurs in daylight or twilight or the MP is below the horizon for North & South America, Europe & Australia so not a good shot at viewing it. It is getting very close though.
Since this NEO will get very close, parallax will affect the predicted positions, so you'll need to make charts for your location to get accurate positions for this object. Also, elements closer to the current date should be in the MPC's NEA datafile tomorrow. The elements for Feb 25 may reflect the earth's perturbtions on the orbit of this object, hence the difference between the CNEOS & ST4v predictied close approach time.
Good hunting.
Phil S.
Using MPC's elements for February 25 2023 00:00 UT, ST4v predicts that this MP will reach a peak brightness of 16.1 magnitude on January 25 at 1800 EST when the NEO will be moving through Sagittarius at 14.2"/sec at 36.0k km distance. Close approach (to the nearest hour) is predicted to occur on January 25 at 1800 EST (2300 UT) when 2023 BU at 16.1 magnitude will be moving through Sagittarius at 14.2"/sec , 36.0k km distant but below the horizon as seen from Columbus, Ohio. Unfortunately ST4v predicts that it will not be observable with a 13" telescope under those conditions.
The Minimun Re occurs in daylight or twilight or the MP is below the horizon for North & South America, Europe & Australia so not a good shot at viewing it. It is getting very close though.
Since this NEO will get very close, parallax will affect the predicted positions, so you'll need to make charts for your location to get accurate positions for this object. Also, elements closer to the current date should be in the MPC's NEA datafile tomorrow. The elements for Feb 25 may reflect the earth's perturbtions on the orbit of this object, hence the difference between the CNEOS & ST4v predictied close approach time.
Good hunting.
Phil S.