2023 DZ2

[PMSchu]

Here's an update on this close approach. I think it's going to be the brightest one that's occurred in the last several years. 'Rarity' 3 events don't occur very frequently.

As of March 19, CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO 2023 DZ2 will make a close approach on 2023-Mar-25 19:52 ± 00:07 UT at a distance of 0.00117 AU. H=23.9 magnitude, V relative=7.78 km/sec, 'Rarity' =3, Condition Code = 6.  It's a medium sized object 43 m - 97 m in dimeter. This MP was discovered at La Palma on 2023-02-27. La Palma made observations from February 27 to March 1 then there were no observations reported until March 16 & 17. The observation arc was extended to 64 days using observations as early as Jan 14 as noted above. The Earth Minimum Orbit Intersection Distance (MOID) is 4.77684E-5 AU. The inclination is only 0.08°.

Using MPC's elements for March 19 2023 00:00 UT, ST4v now predicts that this MP will reach a peak brightness of 9.8 magnitude on March 25 at 1400 EDT (to the nearest hour) when the NEO will be moving through Virgo at 464"/min at 192.4 k km distance in daylight and below the horizon as seen from Columbus, Ohio.. Close approach (to the nearest hour) is predicted to occur on March 25 at 1600 EDT when the NEO will be moving through Virgo at 516"/min, 181.8 k km distant and 10.2 magnitude, still in daylight and below the horizon as seen from Columbus. On the evening of March 24 the NEO is already predicted to be brighter than 14 magnitude as it moves through Cancer and brighter than 14 magnitude on the morning of March 26 as it moves through Sagittarius. It's not a one night event.

You'll need to download the latest elements for this object as the orbit is being refined. A plot of the object's path shows little loops in the position each day. I think that this is caused by the earth's rotation causing the apparent position of the NEO to shift relative to the background stars.  It's still noticable with the NEO 0.03 AU distant, but it will really start moving fast in the next few days. Here's an Interactive Atlas chart showing the predicted position of the NEO for the next week as seen from Columbus, Ohio:     

The close approach is best visible from Australia/New Zealand, but the NEO should be visible for some time from both hemispheres as it's going to pass close to Regulus and Spica.

Good hunting.

Phil S.