2025-09-07, 06:47 PM
CNEOS predicts that the Apollo class NEO, 2009 FF, will make a close approach on 2025-Sep-11 17:31±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.01747 AU moving with V Relative=12.93 km/sec, H=21.8 magnitude, diameter 120 m - 260 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of 2021 Aug 25, there was a 12402 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0150244 AU. The solution date was 2021-Aug-25 05:48:32 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Mt. Lemmon Survey on 2009-03-16. The observation arc was extended by 2 observations on 1984-04-05 by Siding Spring Observatory-DSS. This will be its closest pass to earth for the next 150 years. 2009 FF is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Sep 3 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.16 Visual Pro predicts that 2009 FF will reach a peak brightness of 15.5 magnitude on the morning of Sep 13 traveling through Lacerta at a distance of 0.02 AU at 42"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Sep 11 at 1400 EDT(1800 UT) traveling through Draco at a distance of 0.02 AU, 61"/minute and 16.3 magnitude, but in daylight as seen from Columbus, Ohio. The NEO should be brighter than 16 magnitude from Sep 12 (in Draco) to Sep 15 (in Pegasus).
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2009 FF:
This NEO's orbit is well defined and it doesn't pass closer than 0.01 AU, but observers should still follow the instructions in the "Important" thread at the top of this forum section for the most accurate ephemeris predictions.
Good hunting,
Phil S.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Sep 3 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.16 Visual Pro predicts that 2009 FF will reach a peak brightness of 15.5 magnitude on the morning of Sep 13 traveling through Lacerta at a distance of 0.02 AU at 42"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Sep 11 at 1400 EDT(1800 UT) traveling through Draco at a distance of 0.02 AU, 61"/minute and 16.3 magnitude, but in daylight as seen from Columbus, Ohio. The NEO should be brighter than 16 magnitude from Sep 12 (in Draco) to Sep 15 (in Pegasus).
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2009 FF:
This NEO's orbit is well defined and it doesn't pass closer than 0.01 AU, but observers should still follow the instructions in the "Important" thread at the top of this forum section for the most accurate ephemeris predictions.
Good hunting,
Phil S.