2023-07-04, 05:14 PM
CNEOS predicts that 2 Rarity=2 close approaches will occur in the next 2 weeks. 2018 UY on 2023-Jul-12 15:58±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.01904 AU, V Relative=16.38 km/sec, H=20.8 magnitude and diameter 180 m - 410 m. This orbit is well defined.
The recently discovered NEO 2023 MG6 is predicted to follow 4 days later on 2023-Jul-16 21:39±00:38 UT at a distance of 0.02432 AU, V Relative=12.37 km/sec, H=20.5 magnitude and diameter 210 m - 470 m. Currently the Condition Code for this object is 9 with an observation arc of 4 days, so the time of close approach should become more accurate in the next few days.
It's very unusual to have 2 NEOs this large make close approaches within ~4 days although they are 7.4 and 9.5 lunar distances (LD) distant at close approach. God space is big. Neither of these objects has come within the 0.05 AU threshold that I use when looking for bright close approaches, but ST4v predicts that 2018 UY will reach maximum brightness of 14.8 magnitude on July 13.
I'll post an update as more accurate information becoms available.
Phil S.
The recently discovered NEO 2023 MG6 is predicted to follow 4 days later on 2023-Jul-16 21:39±00:38 UT at a distance of 0.02432 AU, V Relative=12.37 km/sec, H=20.5 magnitude and diameter 210 m - 470 m. Currently the Condition Code for this object is 9 with an observation arc of 4 days, so the time of close approach should become more accurate in the next few days.
It's very unusual to have 2 NEOs this large make close approaches within ~4 days although they are 7.4 and 9.5 lunar distances (LD) distant at close approach. God space is big. Neither of these objects has come within the 0.05 AU threshold that I use when looking for bright close approaches, but ST4v predicts that 2018 UY will reach maximum brightness of 14.8 magnitude on July 13.
I'll post an update as more accurate information becoms available.
Phil S.