Close Approach of (164206) 2004 FN18

[PMSchu]

CNEOS predicts that the kilometer-sized NEO, (164206) 2004 FN18, will make a close approach on 2025 Nov 7.

Using MPC's orbital elements for 2025 Sep 22 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.18 Visual Pro predicts that (164206) 2004 FN18 will reach a peak brightness of 14 magnitude at a distance of 0.12 AU on the morning of 2025 Oct 31 while traveling through Cetus at 7.26"/minute. This NEO is currently 0.2 AU distant traveling at 1.64"/minute through Triangulum at 16.2 magnitude.

I'll provide an update closer to the time of the close approach, but wanted to alert observers to this large NEO's coming pass as it should be visible for several days around the close approach.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

[PMSchu]

Here's an update for (164206) 2004 FN18.

CNEOS predicts that the kilometer-sized NEO, (164206) 2004 FN18, will make a close approach (sort-of) on 2025-Nov-07 16:57±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.11228 AU moving with V Relative=11.92 km/sec, H=17.7 magnitude, diameter 1.138±0.421 km and 'Rarity'=1. There is a 25941 day observation arc, the Condition Code=0, and the Earth MOID=0.112122 AU. The solution date was 2025-Oct-16 06:22:36 PDT. Discovered 2004-03-27 by LINEAR at Socorro. The observation arc was extended by 2 observations on 1954-10-5 by Palomar Mountain-DSS and 6 observations in 2002 by Palomar Mountain/NEAT. This close approach is very close to the minimum distance possible. This NEO isn't on the MPC's list of Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs) because while this object is large the Earth MOID is too great to be a threat.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2025 Oct 16 0000 UT, ST4.1.11.18 Visual Pro predicts that (164206)2004 FN18 will reach a peak brightness of 14.0 magnitude between October 27 (in Aries) to November 1 (in Cetus). On 2025 October 31 at 0200 EDT it's predicted to be 14.0 magnitude and 0.12 AU distant traveling through Cetus at 7.3"/minute. Close approach is predicted (to the nearest hour) on 2025 November 7 at 1200 EST (1700 UT) with the NEO 0.11 AU distant and 14.4 magnitude traveling through Eridanus at 8.9"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. The close approach should be visible from down under, weather permitting. (164206) 2004 FN18 is currently 15.5 magnitude in Triangulum.

Here's the Object Info dialog for (164206) 2004 FN18:    

This NEO's orbit is well defined and the approach distance isn't very close, so orbital elements downloaded using the NEOs at Today's Epoch option in SkyTools should yield accurate positions.

Good hunting,

Phil S.