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Possible Close Approach of 2017 TE2

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 14:11:07 -0400

There is a possible bright close approach of the Apollo-class NEA, 2017 TE2, on 2026 Oct 1 ~1500 EDT (1900 UT) at a distance of 826.1k km moving through Aquila at 207"/minute and 14.8 magnitude, but in daylight as seen from Columbus, Ohio. Peak brightness is 14.2 magnitude on the evening of 2026 Oct 1-2 with the NEA traveling through Delphinus, Equuleus and into Pegasus at ~165-150"/minute. ST4.1.11.22 Visual Pro used MPC's elements for the epoch 2026 Sep 23 0000 UT.

This NEA is not listed as a close approach by CNEOS or MPC, but is listed by astro.vanbuitenen.nl on 2026 Oct 1 at 0.006 AU and 14.8 mag. The CNEOS Orbit Viewer shows 0.033 AU on 2026 Sep 28 0000 UT (Epoch 2458040.5 (2017-Oct-14.0) TDB) with a solution date 2023-Mar-01 06:04:42 Pacific Time.

Here's the Object Info for 2017 TE2:
Object Info for NEA 2017 TE2 (2026 October 1 1500 EDT).jpg (Size: 150.52 KB / Downloads: 0)

As the time of close approach nears, the pros may recover 2017 TE2 and refine the orbit further. CNEOS lists a Condition Code=8 with a 20 day observation arc from 2017-10-3 to 2017-10-23.

I'll provide an update nearer to the close approach. Hopefully it's spotted before close approach as it's currently in the sun's glare..

Phil S.

I took the leap

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:46:17 -0400

Previously I used ST4 for planning and getting observing lists, which I used with printed charts at my scope. But last night, I decided to use ST4 for my observing. Having the naked eye view, the finder view, and the eyepiece view all on the screen, along with the suggested context method of star hopping, made it pretty easy to find objects and log impressions while fresh in my mind. I never had use for my red flashlight.

I did not use all the advised methods of screen reddening, but mine were good enough. See screenshot.
sample.png (Size: 275.09 KB / Downloads: 5)

Close Approach of 2026 RG15

Sun, 13 Sep 2026 14:06:18 -0400

CNEOS predicts that the newly discovered Apollo-class, NEA, 2026 RG15, will make a close approach on 2026-Sep-15 07:36±01:23 UT at a distance of 0.00063 AU moving with V Relative=9.13 km/sec, H=25.8 magnitude, diameter 19 m - 42 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of September 13 there is only a 0.8 day observation arc, the Condition Code=8 and the Earth MOID=0.000229139 AU. The solution date was 2026-Sep-13 05:23:30 PDT. The initial reported observation was by ATLAS Chile, Rio Hurtado on 2026-09-12.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Sep 13 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.21 Visual Pro predicts that 2026 RG15 will reach a peak brightness of 13.8 magnitude on September 15 at ~0200 EDT (0600 UT) at a distance of 113.8k km traveling through Scorpius at 13.5 "/second, but below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio (40°N). Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 September 15 at 0400 EDT (0800 UT) with the NEA traveling through Libra at 14.6 magnitude and 17"/second, but still below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. This object will be best observed from the southern hemisphere, weather permitting.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2026 RG15:
Object Info for NEA 2026 RG15 (2026 September 15 0400 EDT).jpg (Size: 163.98 KB / Downloads: 0)

Since the observation arc for this newly discovered object is currently shorter than one day, the orbit is still very uncertain. Observers should refer to the directions in the "Important Threads" post at the top of this forum section for instructions on downloading the most recent orbital elements from the HORIZONS system accessible through CNEOS. Hopefully another night of observations will improve the accuracy sufficiently to find it.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Need help moving an observing list from SkyTools 4 to SkySafari

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 00:29:32 -0400

I can create the SkySafari export from SkyTools 4 without any problem, but I am stuck on what to do with the file afterward.
The export appears to be created correctly and I can see the files on my computer, but I cannot figure out the proper way to get that list into SkySafari on my iPad. Do I need to transfer the file through the Apple Files app, connect the iPad to my PC, or use another method?
I have searched through the SkyTools 4 help and tried looking for instructions, but I still cannot find a clear step by step explanation for the final part of the process. If anyone has done this recently, could you explain how you transferred fnf the exported observing list into SkySafari?

Impact of 2026 RW1

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 14:06:18 -0400

The small Aten-class NEA, 2026 RW1 entered the atmosphere on 2026 Sep 6 1607 UTC over the Indian Ocean. Here's an article describing the event:

https://watchers.news/2026/09/07/asteroi...-impactor/

ST4.1.11.21 predicted a peak brightness of 14.8 magnitude at 12.91k km distance at 1200 EDT(1600 UTC).

Phil S.

Star ID

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 13:31:52 -0400

What star catalogue is used for the stars that use identifiers like j003742.2-324244?

It is a star that is in the ring of the Cartwheel galaxy. It comes up as a GSC nonstar in some other software.

Kenneth Drake

ST4 observing list to Argo Navis?

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 16:31:28 -0400

Seems like there should be an export option to create a file of an observing list that I can transfer to an Argo Navis user catalog using the Argonaut software but I can't find it. I would like to use ST4 to create lists but use Argo Navis to supply push-to instructions, instead of SkyTools. I find that the light from my laptop impairs my dark adaptation and find the cable between the laptop and telescope annoying.

Does such an option exist?

Jon

Close Approach of 2017 BP31

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 13:28:55 -0400

CNEOS predicts that the large, Apollo-class, NEA 2017 BP31, will make a close approach on 2026-Aug-28 23:43±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.02860 AU moving with V Relative=20.45 km/sec, H=19.8 magnitude, diameter 290 m - 640 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of 2023 Oct 15 there was a 2451 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0231043 AU. The solution date was 2023-Oct-15 06:50:05 PDT. Initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2017-01-27. This NEA is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools. There will be another close approach on 2091-Mar-10 11:28± 03:03 UT at 0.02312 AU very close to the MOID value.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Aug 23 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.21 Visual Pro predicts that 2017 BP31 will reach a peak brightness of 14.6 magnitude on August 30 at 0200 EDT (0600 UT) at a distance of 0.032 AU traveling through Indus at 46.6"/minute, but below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio (40°N). The close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 Aug 28@2000 EDT (Aug 29 0000 UT) with the object 0.029 AU distant traveling through Chamaeleon at 15 magnitude and 58"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus. This is a southern hemisphere object, weather permitting.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2017 BP31:
Object Info for NEA 2017 BP31 (2026 August 28 2000 EDT).jpg (Size: 167.67 KB / Downloads: 0)

Since the orbit of this NEA is well defined, the orbital elements provided by the MPC should yield accurate positions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Close Approach of (221455) 2006 BC10

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 13:28:09 -0400

CNEOS predicts that the large, Apollo-class, NEA, (221455) 2006 BC10, will make a close approach on 2026-Aug-28 15:47±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.02396 AU moving with V Relative=19.00 km/sec, H=19.5 magnitude, diameter 330 m - 740 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of 2026 Jan 22, there is a 7303 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.00575443 AU. The solution date was 2026-Jan-22 05:49:02 PST. Discovered 2006-01-23 by Spacewatch at Kitt Peak This NEA is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can downlosd using SkyTools.
The next close approach to earth on 2052-Mar-19 04:02 ± 00:02 (TDB) will be close to the Earth MOID at 0.00783 AU. Unfortunately the osculating orbital elements available now don't give accurate positions that far in the future.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Aug 4 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.21 Visual Pro predicts that (221455) 2006 BC10 will reach a peak brightness of 13.8 magnitude on 2026 Aug 29 at 2300 EDT traveling through Telescopium at 0.029 AU distant and 44"/minute, but on the horizon as seen from Columbus, Ohio (40°N). Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 Aug 28 at 1200 EDT (1600 UT) with the NEA 0.024 AU distant traveling through Norma at 14.4 magnitude and 66"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus. This object will be best observed from the southern hemisphere. It should be visible in a 13" telescope from 40°N from August 30 (in Microscopium) to September 8 (in Aquarius).

Here's the Object Info dialog for (221455) 2006 BC10:
Object Info for NEA (221455) 2006 BC10 (2026 August 28 1200 EDT).jpg (Size: 174.25 KB / Downloads: 0)

The orbit for this object is well defined, so the orbital elements available from MPC should yield accurate positions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Close Approach of (523609) 2005 PJ2

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 14:41:26 -0400

CNEOS predicts that the large, Apollo-class, NEA, (523609) 2005 PJ2, will make a close approach on 2026-Aug-27 02:01±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.04731 AU moving with V Relative=22.75 km/sec, H=19.5 magnitude, diameter 330 m - 740 m and 'Rarity'=1. There is currently a 7697 day observation arc , the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0444611 AU. The solution date was 2026-Aug-23 06:50:16 PDT. Discovered 2005-08-04 by NEAT at Palomar This object is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) that you can download using SkyTools. There will be another close approach on 2085-Aug-27 12:10±<00:01 UT at 0.04801 AU.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Aug 23 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.21 Visual Pro predicts that (523609) 2005 PJ2 will reach a peak brightness of 15.3 magnitude on the morning of 25 August with the NEA traveling through Andromeda at ~30"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 Aug 26@2200 EDT with the NEA 0.047 AU distant traveling through Cepheus at 40"/minute and 15.7 magnitude. It will also be visible in Pegasus on the morning of August 24.

Here's the Object Info dialog for (523609) 2005 PJ2:
Object Info for NEA (523609) 2005 PJ2 (2026 August 26 2200 EDT).jpg (Size: 166.88 KB / Downloads: 0)

The orbit for this NEA is well defined and the distance is >0.04 AU so the positions predicted by MPC's orbital elements should be accurate.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Close Approach of 2025 AL2

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:45:12 -0400

CNEOS predicts that the Apollo-class NEA, 2025 AL2, will make a close approach on 2026-Aug-16 22:05±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.00563 AU moving with V Relative=12.40 km/sec, H=22.8 magnitude, diameter 75 m - 170 m and 'Rarity'=2. There is a 578 day observation arc, the Condition Code=1 and the Earth MOID=0.00451437 AU. The solution date was 2026-Aug-07 06:20:17 PDT. Initial reported observation by University of Arizona Mt. Lemmon Survey on 2025-01-05. This approach is very close to the MOID.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Aug 7 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.21 Visual Pro predicts that 2025 AL2 will reach peak brightness of 14.0 magnitude on the morning of August 16 at a distance of 1027.2k km traveling through Phoenix at ~120"/minute, but in daylight near the horizon in Columbus, Ohio (40°N). Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 Aug 16 at 1800 EDT (2200 UT) with the NEA traveling through Eridanus at 14.7 magnitude and 184"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. This object is best from the southern hemisphere.

Here's the Object Info dialog for 2025 AL2:
Object Info for NEA 2025 AL2 (2026 August 16 1800 EDT).jpg (Size: 163.37 KB / Downloads: 0)

The orbit for this NEA is well defined, but it will pass close-by so observers should follow the instruction in the "Important Threads" post at the top of this forum section for instructions to download the most up-to-date orbital elements for this object.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Close Approach of (66146) 1998 TU3

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 13:39:51 -0400

CNEOS predicts that the kilometer-sized Aten-class NEA, (66146) 1998 TU3, will make a close approach on 2026-Aug-26 16:35±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.09029 AU moving with V Relative=11.31 km/sec, H=14.4 magnitude, diameter 2.864±1.165 km, and 'Rarity'=3. As of 2025 Jan 15, there was a 15321 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and the Earth MOID=0.0736999 AU. The solution date was 2025-Jan-15 05:18:52 PST. Discovered 1998-10-13 by LINEAR at Socorro. The observation arc was extended by observations on 1982-12-04 at Siding Spring.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2026 Aug 1, ST4.1.11.21 Visual Pro predicts that (66146) 1998 TU3 will reach a peak brightness of 11.5 magnitude from August 30 (in Horologium) to September 4 (in Phoenix), but below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio (40°N). Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2026 Aug 26 at 1300 EDT (1700 UT) with the NEA traveling through Horologium at 11.9 magnitude and 10"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. This object is best observed from the southern hemisphere.

Here's the Object Info dialog for (66146) 1998 TU3:
Object Info for NEA (66146) 1998 TU3 (2026 August 26 1300 EDT).jpg (Size: 173.56 KB / Downloads: 1)

Here's the predicted path of (66146) 1998 TU3:
Interactive Atlas (66146) 1998 TU3 2026 August 18 - September 2.jpg (Size: 374.64 KB / Downloads: 0)

The orbit of this NEA is well defined so the predicted positions should be accurate, but observers should monitor the CNEOS website to see if the Solution date is updated.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

Asteroid (44) Nysa is a Contact-Trinary Object

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 19:46:21 -0400

Here's a link to an article that describes research identifying (44) Nysa as a contact-trinary object:

https://www.space.com/astronomy/asteroid...ittle-moon

They were also able to detect a small moon.

Hope you find it interesting.

Phil S.

NASA's Psyche Mission Captures a Closeup of Mars

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:21:11 -0400

NASA's Psyche spacecraft captured a time-lapse image of Mars during its flyby-gravity boost in May 2026.

Here's the article:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/science/artic...00197.html

The spacecraft is due to arrive at (16) Psyche in 2029.

Hope you found this interesting,

Phil S.

NEA 1998 SH2 is Really a Comet

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 16:15:12 -0400

Here's an article describing new work about a new type of solar system objects called "dark comets". The NEA 1998 SH2 was reclassified as a dark comet because it had changed its orbit due to sublimating ice.

https://www.sciencealert.com/a-near-eart...ry-defense

This is going to make predicting their orbits more difficult.

Hope you find it interesting,

Phil S.