Close Approach of 2022 MB3

[PMSchu]

This newly discovered NEO is predicted to make a close approach within 0.00520 AU on 2022 July 1 13:23 UT accordind to the CNEOS website. The absolute magnitude H=26.8. The 'Rarity' is 0. ST4v predicts a peak brightness of 15.9 magnitude on July 1 at 0400 EDT when the MP is predicted to be 819.0k km distant moving at 185.7"/min through Sagittarius heading south. This is another object best viewed from the southern hemisphere.

Here is an Interactive Atlas chart showing the path of 2022 MB3 as seen from Brisbane, Australia on the night of July 1-2: [attachment=2417]

Hopefully this hasen't happened yet  . At least it's not in the early morning. This one is too far south to be visible in my 13" from 40°N.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

[Dennis]

Hi Phil

Thanks for the alert, I appreciate it.

Once again we are clouded out, experiencing an unusual rain event over the next few days. Where we would normally enjoy a mainly dry, cool and cloud free winter (down under) we are in this unusual weather pattern since early 2022.

The annual, week-long ,Queensland Astrofest is scheduled in less than 3 weeks time - I hope the weather is kind to the event.

Cheers

Dennis

[PMSchu]

Hi Dennis,

If the weather had cooperated, was the alert in time for you to have observed the close approach? There's about a half day time difference between Brisbane & Columbus. We're GMT-4 & you're GMT+10, but then there's the day ahead thing to consider that messes me up.

Another newly discovered NEO 2022 MJ3 just screamed past today at 12:44 UT, 0.00101 AU distant, H=29.6, 'Rarity'=0 from the CNEOS website. According to ST4v it reached peak brightness of 16.8 magnitude in Circinus moving 500.3"/min and 175.9k km distant at 1000 UT. Close approach of 155.7k km occurred at ~1200UT when it was 17.0 magnitude moving through Chamaeleon at 10.6"/sec! Amost like watching a meteor pass through the FOV  .

Note that when I calculate the ephemeris for the MPs, I use a time step of 2 hours because that seems to be close enough for the purposes of screening the possibilities for good events. Here's what the ephemeris looks like with 15 minute time intervals: [attachment=2418]

Add 4 hours to convert from EDT to UT & ST4v's results are right on the money as expected.

At least you're getting your beauty sleep with this lousy weather & the reservoirs are getting full. 

Phi S.

[bigmasterdrago]

Too faint (16.4 @ closest 779765Km 8:22CDT daylight), 34° below SW horizon moving 201"/min. Brightest 15.93 ~3:22CDT 30° up @ azi 206 from my yard moving 188"/min.

MJ3 was really screaming!!

Small rocks.

[PMSchu]

BMD, are you sure about the close approach distance? 0.001 AU~150k km not 780k km isn't it? It certainly was a screamer! Just out of reach .

Phil S.

[bigmasterdrago]

BMD, are you sure about the close approach distance? 0.001 AU~150k km not 780k km isn't it? It certainly was a screamer! Just out of reach .

Phil S.

Sorry. I was referring to MB3 on the info given. The high speed comment was concerning MJ3.

[PMSchu]

Sorry about that! I guess I shouldn't post about 2 MPs on the same thread like that - too confusing. I even confuse myself.

Phil S.

[bigmasterdrago]

I do it all the time by mistake as I sometimes get excited about one small rock!