Close Approach of 2024 MT1

[PMSchu]

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO, 2024 MT1 will make a close approach on 2024-Jul-08 01:11±00:41 UT at a distance of 0.01008 AU moving with V Relative=18.12 km/sec, H=23.1 magnitude, diameter 63 m - 140 m and 'Rarity'=2. There is a 2 day observation arc, the Condition Code=8 and the Earth MOID=0.00931689 AU. The solution date was 2024-Jul-01 04:42:02 PDT. The initial reported observation was by ATLAS Chile, Rio Hurtado on 2024-06-29. 

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2024 Jul 1 0000 UT, ST4v 1.11.10 predicts that this MP will reach a peak brightness of 15.1 magnitude on 2024 July 7 at 0100 EDT at 0.01 AU distance traveling through Ophiuchus at 85"/minute. It will be traveling even faster at close approach on the evening of July 7, but close approach occurs during twilight as seen from Columbus, Ohio. Observers in Europe should have a good view then.

I'll post an update when CNEOS refines the orbit further and the close approach parameters are better defined. 

Good hunting,

Phil S.

[PMSchu]

As of July 3, CNEOS has updated the close approach time to 2024-Jul-08 01:12±00:09 UT. The distance is still 0.01008 AU and the Condition Code is still 8.

We'll see what the next few days brings.

Phil S.

[PMSchu]

Here's another update on the close approach of 2024 MT1. As of 2024 July 5 CNEOS predicts that the close approach will occur on 2024-Jul-08 01:10±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.01007 AU moving with V Relative=18.11 km/sec, H=23.3 magnitude,  diameter 59 m - 130 m and  'Rarity'=1. There's now a 5 day observation arc, the Condition Code=7 and the Earth MOID=0.00930309 AU. The solution date was 2024-Jul-05 06:17:57 PDT. The initial reported observation was by ATLAS Chile, Rio Hurtado on 2024-06-29. Even though the initial uncertainty of the close approach time was ±41 minutes, the new close approach time only differs by 1 minute from the original predicted time. I'm impressed! This NEO will probably be on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHA), but it wasn't on the list as of today. 2024 MK is on the list now.

Using MPC's elements for the epoch 2024 Jul 5 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.10 Visual predicts that 2024 MT1 will reach a peak brightness of 15.3 magnitude on 2024 Jul 7 at 0000 EDT when it will be traveling through Ophiuchus at ~86"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on July 7 at 2100 EDT when the NEO is predicted to be 15.9 magnitude in Hercules traveling at 152"/minute. ST4v predicts that this NEO will be visible in a 13" scope from July 6 0000 EDT at 15.8 magnitude in Aquila to July 7 2300 EDT at 16.1 magnitude in Hercules.  The close approach of this NEO should be visible from Europe, weather permitting.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO:     

Good hunting,

Phil S.