2025-06-16, 05:57 PM
CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, 2003 AY2, will make a close approach on 2025-Jun-22 04:09±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.03630 AU moving with V Relative=15.95 km/sec, H=19.8 magnitude, diameter 290 m - 650 m and 'Rarity'=1. As of 2025 Mar 21 there is a 8137 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0 and Earth MOID=0.0221058 AU. The solution date was 2025-Mar-21 05:48:49 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Lowell Observatory-LONEOS on 2003-01-02. This NEO is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). It's predicted to pass at 0.02761 AU on 2094-Jun-18 23:54 ± 00:02 UT.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Jun 16 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.15 Visual Pro predicts that the close approach will occur (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Jun 22 0000 EDT with the NEO 0.04 AU distant traveling through Centaurus at 36"/minute and 15.1 magnitude, but below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. The peak brightness of 14.7 magnitude is broad, occurring from June 23-25 with the NEO past close approach, traveling from Centaurus into Lupus. The best view from Columbus occurs on 2025 Jun 24 2300 EDT in Lupus traveling 23"/minute at 14.7 magnitude.
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2023 AY2:
This NEO is not passing very close and the orbit is well defined so the orbital elements provided by the MPC via ST4 should yield good accuracy.
Good Hunting,
Phil S.
Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Jun 16 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.15 Visual Pro predicts that the close approach will occur (to the nearest hour) on 2025 Jun 22 0000 EDT with the NEO 0.04 AU distant traveling through Centaurus at 36"/minute and 15.1 magnitude, but below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. The peak brightness of 14.7 magnitude is broad, occurring from June 23-25 with the NEO past close approach, traveling from Centaurus into Lupus. The best view from Columbus occurs on 2025 Jun 24 2300 EDT in Lupus traveling 23"/minute at 14.7 magnitude.
Here's the Object Info dialog for 2023 AY2:
This NEO is not passing very close and the orbit is well defined so the orbital elements provided by the MPC via ST4 should yield good accuracy.
Good Hunting,
Phil S.