2024-07-30, 05:49 PM
CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered Apollo class NEO, 2024 ON, will make a close approach on 2024-Sep-17 18:52±1_12:17 UT at a distance of 0.00704 AU. This is another 'Rarity'=3 event this summer. Currently the Condition Code=9, so the orbit isn't well defined yet, but I thought that this event was worth a heads-up for any minor planet observers out there.
Using MPC's elements for the epoch 2024 Jul 30 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.10 Visual predicts that 2024 ON will reach a peak brightness of 11.9 on 2024 Sep 17 at 1700 EDT at a distance of 1072.88k km traveling through Indus at 103"/minute. This is also the time (to the nearest hour) of the predicted close approach. This object will be best observed from the southern hemisphere, weather permitting, but it should be bright enough to be visible to northern hemisphere observers before and after close approach when the declination will be further north.
I'll post an update when the orbit is better defined, as the uncertainty of the time of close approach is a day and a half at present. Usually the final value for the close approach time is very close to the predicted time; however, so don't expect too much difference.
Phil S.
Using MPC's elements for the epoch 2024 Jul 30 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.10 Visual predicts that 2024 ON will reach a peak brightness of 11.9 on 2024 Sep 17 at 1700 EDT at a distance of 1072.88k km traveling through Indus at 103"/minute. This is also the time (to the nearest hour) of the predicted close approach. This object will be best observed from the southern hemisphere, weather permitting, but it should be bright enough to be visible to northern hemisphere observers before and after close approach when the declination will be further north.
I'll post an update when the orbit is better defined, as the uncertainty of the time of close approach is a day and a half at present. Usually the final value for the close approach time is very close to the predicted time; however, so don't expect too much difference.
Phil S.