Close Approach of 2023 HO6

[PMSchu]

CNEOS predicts that the recently discovered NEO, 2023 HO6, will make a close approach on 2023-Jul-05 21:59±00:01 UT at a distance of 0.01368 AU with V Relative=7.77 km/sec, H=21.0 magnitude, diameter 170 m - 380 m, 'Rarity'=2. The Condition  Code=5 with a 59 day observation arc. The Earth MOID=0.0116961 AU. The first reported observation was by Purple Mountain Observatory, XuYi Station on 2023-04-25.

Using MPC's elements for 2023 Jun 23, ST4v predicts that this NEO will reach a maximum brightness of 13.5 magnitude on the morning of July 5 when the NEO will be 0.01 AU distant moving through Norma at ~44"/minute below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. Close approach (to the nearest hour) occurs on 2023 Jul 5 1800 EDT (2200 UT) with 2023 HO6 shining at 13.6 magnitude in Trianglum Austra moving 48"/minute, still below the horizon in Columbus, now in daylight. ST4v predicts that this object will be 16 magnitude on Jun 27 when it is predicted to be in Serpens moving 5"/minute. It should exceed 16 magnitude from Jun 27 to Jul 5. The southern hemisphere will have the best view.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO:     

This NEO should be visible over several days. Hopefully anyone interested will have an opportunity to observe it.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

[Dennis]

Gee Phil, that's a big rock, I'll put this on my to do list.

Thanks

Dennis

[PMSchu]

Hi Dennis,

Sure is! With an Earth MOID of 0.0117 this one will probably end up on the Potentially Hazardous Asteroids list. Hope you can get some images of it. 

What's the source of the elements that you use for your mount to track these NEOs? They seem to put the scope bang on the NEO every time.

Phil S.

[Dennis]

Hi Phil

Apologies for the delayed reply. The mount control SW uses the MPC data and seems to be accurate for most objects I have tracked so far.

Cheers

Dennis

[PMSchu]

Hi Dennis, 

Check out 2019 LH5. Using MPC's elements for 2023 Jun 5, ST4v has it reaching a maximum brightness of 15.8 magnitude on July 4 in Serpens moving 33"/min. CNEOS lists the close approach on 2023 Jul 7 04:11 ± < 00:01 UT.

I only rated this one 3 stars, but it could be a good one for you if the weather cooperates. I'd suggest running the ephemeris to see how flat the light curve is. It's already 16.8 magnitude in Serpens Cauda at 0.1 AU moving 5.2"/min, so easily within reach of your system. 

Good hunting,

Phil S.

[Dennis]

Hi Phil

Looks like there will be a close encounter with 2019 LH5 and M12 at 2023-07-03T19:00:00Z.

From Brisbane this will not be visible, they will be some 14 deg below my horizon.

Cheers

Dennis