2022-08-12, 03:58 PM
Hi MP Hunters,
Here's the promised update on 2022 PW. This MP is still on track to reach peak brightness of 15.5 magnitude on the morning of Aug 15 from ~0000-0500 EDT when it will be in Pegasus. It will even attain 15.4 magnitude between 0600-1100 EDT while still in Pegasus moving >95"/min.
The ST4v ephemeris prediction using the MPC's 2022 Aug 12 0000 UT elements :
Max 15.5 Aug 15@0400 735.0k km 87.0"/min
Min Re 535.1k km Aug 15@2300 16.1 Mag In And 176.0"/min
CNEOS predicts the close approach at 2022 Aug 16 02:47 ± 00:11 UT at a distance of 0.00354 AU. H=25.4, 'Rarity'=1, Condition Code=7.
NOTE: I made an error in the estimated motion in the original post for the motion at close approach. I repeated the motion value for Aug 15 0400 EDT (85.9 "/min) instead of getting the correct value for Aug 15 2300 EDT (~170"/min). Since St4v has updated the orbital elements to those for Aug 12, I can't repeat the calculation without downloading the old elements from HORIZONS & that doesn't seem worth the effort.
This object is still one of the brightest MPs we've had in a while despite the moon's interference. It's even brighter further west.
Good hunting,
Phil S.
Here's the promised update on 2022 PW. This MP is still on track to reach peak brightness of 15.5 magnitude on the morning of Aug 15 from ~0000-0500 EDT when it will be in Pegasus. It will even attain 15.4 magnitude between 0600-1100 EDT while still in Pegasus moving >95"/min.
The ST4v ephemeris prediction using the MPC's 2022 Aug 12 0000 UT elements :
Max 15.5 Aug 15@0400 735.0k km 87.0"/min
Min Re 535.1k km Aug 15@2300 16.1 Mag In And 176.0"/min
CNEOS predicts the close approach at 2022 Aug 16 02:47 ± 00:11 UT at a distance of 0.00354 AU. H=25.4, 'Rarity'=1, Condition Code=7.
NOTE: I made an error in the estimated motion in the original post for the motion at close approach. I repeated the motion value for Aug 15 0400 EDT (85.9 "/min) instead of getting the correct value for Aug 15 2300 EDT (~170"/min). Since St4v has updated the orbital elements to those for Aug 12, I can't repeat the calculation without downloading the old elements from HORIZONS & that doesn't seem worth the effort.
This object is still one of the brightest MPs we've had in a while despite the moon's interference. It's even brighter further west.
Good hunting,
Phil S.