Close Approach of 2023 LA

[PMSchu]

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO 2023 LA will make a close approach on 2023-Jun-12 00:35±00:02 UT at a distance of 0.00441 AU with V Relative=10.45 km/sec, H=25.2 magnitude, diameter 24 m - 54 m, 'Rarity'=1. The Condition Code=8 with an 11 day observation arc. The Earth MOID=0.00378889 AU. The first reported observation was by Mt. Lemmon Survey on 2023-06-05. The orbit is still being refined.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Jun 6, ST4v predicts that this NEO will reach a peak brightness of 14.5 magnitude on 2023 Jun 11 at 1700 EDT at 676.8k km distant moving through Scutum at 190"/min in dayligh below the horizon as seen from Columbus, Ohio. It's predicted to be visible from Columbus on the morning of Jun 11 when it will be moving through Ophiuchus at 14.7 magnitude and 100"/min.

The southern hemisphere is favored for this close approach.

The apparent position of this NEO will be strongly affected by parallax, so you'll need to download the elements from MPC for NEOs at Today's Epoch using ST4 to get the latest data. BMD recommends downloading elements from JPL's HORIZONS system for best accuracy. Dennis in Australia has successfully imaged several close approaches, but I don't know which source he uses for his orbital elements. His tracking is very accurate.

I'll provide further updates when the orbit is refined.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

[PMSchu]

Here's an update on the close approach of 2023 LA.

As of 2023 Jun 9, CNEOS predicts that this newly discovered NEO will make a close approach on 2023-Jun-12 00:35±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00441 AU moving with V Relative=10.45 km/sec and H=25.3 magnitude. The size is 24 m - 53 m, 'Rarity'=1, Condition Code=7 with a 13 Day Observation Arc. The Earth MOID=0.0034414 AU. This is a medium to small sized object.

This object is best observed from the southern hemisphere, but it will also be observable on the morning of June 11 from the northern hmisphere.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this object using MPC's orbit element data for Jun 6 & 9:     

The changes in the predicted parameters of the close approach didn't change very much. Since this object will get very close, anyone planning to observe this NEO should download the latest elements from MPC or JPL's HORIZONS website.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

[Dennis]

Thanks for the heads up Phil. ST4 Imaging shows this at mag 15.18 for my location, transiting at 2 mins past midnight, but sadly, the clouds have moved in.

Cheers

Dennis

[PMSchu]

Oh darn!

Phil S.