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Close Approach of 2024 RJ2
#1
CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered NEO, 2024 RJ2, made a close approach on 2024-Sep-05 04:34±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.02712 AU moving with V Relative=15.95 km/sec, H=23.3 magnitude, diameter 57 m - 130 m and 'Rarity'=1. There is a 2 day observation arc, the Condition Code=8 and the Earth MOID=0.0271043 AU. The solution date was 2024-Sep-05 06:26:01 PDT. The initial reported observation was by ATLAS Chile, Rio Hurtado on 2024-09-03.

Using MPC's elements for 2024 Sep 5 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.10 Visual Pro predicts that this NEO will reach a peak brightness of 15.9 magnitude on 2024 Sep 6 at 0200 EDT traveling through Aquarius at 43.5"/minute. The close approach was predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2024 Sep 5 at 0100 EDT when the NEO was traveling through Aquarius at 49"/minute at 16.4 magnitude.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO:    

Good hunting,

Phil S.
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#2
At such a fast pace I guess it will approach sooner than expected.
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#3
Hi smockdonner,

Welcome to the forum. Actually 2024 RJ2 made its close approach on 2024 Sep 5, but the peak brightness occurred one day later on 2024 Sep 6. It's quite common for the close approach and peak brightness to occur at different times unless the NEO passes very close by, then the peak brightness coincides with the time of close approach. The brightness is a function of NEO diameter, distance from earth and the phase angle between the earth, sun and NEO. For very close approaches the distance becomes the dominant factor.

The orbital motion calculations in SkyTools are very accurate. The calculations solve for the motion of the NEO around the sun using orbital elements downloaded from the Minor Planet Center (MPC) by SkyTools under the Data>Minor Planets Menu option. Click the 'Download/Import' button, then Chose the 'MPC NEA Today' to download the orbital elements for ~35,000 NEOs at today's epoch of osculation. Refer to the Help for more information about orbital elements and calculating the positions of minor planets and comets (the 'Ephemerides' tab).

Because the orbit is known the position of the NEO can be calculated at any time. The uncertainty of the time of close approach of 2024 RJ2 was <1 minute. You're right that the NEO will move ~40"/minute at peak brightness and ~50"/minute at close approach. Some recently discovered NEOs were moving much faster, but were discovered after close approach, so I didn't report them here.

Hope this helps,

Phil S.
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