2025-04-04, 07:20 PM
CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, 2023 KU, will make a close approach on 2025-Apr-11 15:35±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00707 AU moving with V Relative=18.01 km/sec, H=22.4 magnitude, diameter 89 m - 200 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of 2024-May-10 there is a 3602 day observation arc, the Condition Code=2 and the Earth MOID=0.00692597 AU. The solution date was 2024-May-10 06:22:30 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2023-05-16.
The observation arc was extended by 3 observations from Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2014-6-29. This NEO isn't quite large enough to make the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). CNEOS will likely recompute the orbit for this NEO before the close approach.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Apr 4 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.14 Visual Pro predicts that the close approach of this NEO will occur (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Apr 11 at 1200 EDT (1600 UT) with the object moving through Draco at 211"/minute and 14.4 magnitude, but in daylight as seen from Columbus, Ohio. Maximum brightness of 13.9 magnitude is predicted on 2025 Apr 12 ~0200 EDT with the NEO traveling through Bootes at ~120"/minute. It's predicted to be brighter than 16 magnitude from Apr 11 at 0500 EDT in Cygnus to Apr 14 at 0100 EDT in Virgo.
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2023 KU:
Since this NEO will pass very close to earth, observers should obtain orbital elements close to their time of observation. Refer to the pinned post at the top of this forum section for instructions on how to add orbital elements to your Minor Planet database (MPDB).
Good hunting,
Phil S.
The observation arc was extended by 3 observations from Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2014-6-29. This NEO isn't quite large enough to make the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). CNEOS will likely recompute the orbit for this NEO before the close approach.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Apr 4 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.14 Visual Pro predicts that the close approach of this NEO will occur (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Apr 11 at 1200 EDT (1600 UT) with the object moving through Draco at 211"/minute and 14.4 magnitude, but in daylight as seen from Columbus, Ohio. Maximum brightness of 13.9 magnitude is predicted on 2025 Apr 12 ~0200 EDT with the NEO traveling through Bootes at ~120"/minute. It's predicted to be brighter than 16 magnitude from Apr 11 at 0500 EDT in Cygnus to Apr 14 at 0100 EDT in Virgo.
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2023 KU:
Since this NEO will pass very close to earth, observers should obtain orbital elements close to their time of observation. Refer to the pinned post at the top of this forum section for instructions on how to add orbital elements to your Minor Planet database (MPDB).
Good hunting,
Phil S.