Close Approach of 2024 HK1

[PMSchu]

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO, 2024 HK1, will make a close approach on  2024-May-04 19:20±03:36 UT at a distance of 0.00460 AU moving with V Relative=8.67 km/sec. H=25.4 magnitude, diameter 22 m - 49 m and 'Rarity'=1. There is a  2 day observation arc, the Condition Code=8 and the Earth MOID=0.00459959 AU. The solution date was 2024-Apr-24 18:12:02 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 2, Haleakala on 2024-04-21. This object's orbit will be refined over the next few days to provide more accurate predictions of its position.

I'll provide another update after the orbit is refined further. This object will probably be best from the southern hemisphere.

Phil S.

[PMSchu]

CNEOS has refined the orbit for 2024 HK1, but the uncertainty of the time of close approach is still >1 hour. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Phil S.

[PMSchu]

CNEOS has refined the orbit for 2024 HK1. The close approach is predicted on 2024-May-04 19:43±00:04 UT at a distance of 0.00461 AU moving at V Relative=8.65 km/sec. H=25.1 magnitude, the diameter is 25 m - 56 m and 'Rarity'=1. There's now a 7 day observation arc, the Condition Code=7 and the Earth MOID=0.00441987 AU. The solution date is 2024-Apr-29 06:21:25 PDT.

Using MPC's elements for the epoch 2024 April 29 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that 2024 HK1 will reach a peak brightness of 14.7 magnitude on May 4 between 0400-1100 EDT when it will be traveling from Virgo into Centaurus at ~130"/minute. It may be visible in the early morning of May 3 as well at 16.3 magnitude in Bootes. The close approach on 2024 May 4 1600 EDT will not be visible from Columbus, Ohio, but should be well timed for observers in Australia, when the NEO will be 15 magnitude traveling through Centaurus at 155"/minute.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO:     

Good hunting,

Phil S.