2025-08-10, 06:30 PM
CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, 1997 QK1, will make a close approach on 2025-Aug-20 10:25±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.02013 AU moving with V Relative=9.83 km/sec, H=20.3 magnitude, diameter 240 m - 530 m and 'Rarity'=2. As of 2025 Jun 20, there is a 10159 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0, and the Earth MOID=0.0168972 AU. The solution date was 2025-Jun-20 06:47:42 PDT. The initial reported observation was by Maunakea on 1997-08-27. This NEO is on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs). The next close approach to Earth on 2039-Jul-11 09:30± 00:03 UT at a distance of 0.01586 AU is closer than the current Earth MOID.
Using elements downloaded from Lowell (ASTORB) on 2025 Aug 1 for the epoch 2025 Aug 13 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.16 Visual Pro predicts that 1997 QK1 will reach a peak brightness of 15.5 magnitude on the morning of 2025 Aug 23 when the NEO will be traveling through Cassiopeia at 24"/minute. Close approach (to the nearest hour) is predicted on 2025 Aug 20 at 0600 EDT (1000 UT) with the NEO 0.02 AU distant traveling through Draco at 41"/minute in twilight as seen from Columbus, Ohio. This NEO should be brighter than 16 magnitude from August 21 (in Camelopardalis) to August 26 (in Andromeda).
Here's the Object Info dialog for 1997 QK1:
The orbit for this MP is well defined and doesn't come too close, but observers should still use orbital elements close to their time of observation for the most accurate positions.
Good hunting,
Phil S.
Using elements downloaded from Lowell (ASTORB) on 2025 Aug 1 for the epoch 2025 Aug 13 0000 UT, ST4.1.1.16 Visual Pro predicts that 1997 QK1 will reach a peak brightness of 15.5 magnitude on the morning of 2025 Aug 23 when the NEO will be traveling through Cassiopeia at 24"/minute. Close approach (to the nearest hour) is predicted on 2025 Aug 20 at 0600 EDT (1000 UT) with the NEO 0.02 AU distant traveling through Draco at 41"/minute in twilight as seen from Columbus, Ohio. This NEO should be brighter than 16 magnitude from August 21 (in Camelopardalis) to August 26 (in Andromeda).
Here's the Object Info dialog for 1997 QK1:
The orbit for this MP is well defined and doesn't come too close, but observers should still use orbital elements close to their time of observation for the most accurate positions.
Good hunting,
Phil S.