Yesterday, 06:06 PM
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:
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.
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:
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.