Fast Mover 2021 XM3

[PMSchu]

The Apollo class NEA 2021 XM3 is predicted to reach 16.8 mag tonight around midnight EST. Predicted motion is 1'/min - pretty fast. An IA chart is attached with the Object Info (OI) dialog included:     

This one is just beyond the reach of my 13" scope, maybe someone else will have better luck.

Phil S.

[ledge1962]

With Xmas coming up, you could buy yourself the 30inch you always wanted... Maybe they will put the Hubble up for sale soon

[PMSchu]

Hi George,

A nearby club had a 31" f/7 Newtonian scope that was a beauty. The views of globulars were spectacular. Had to use a scissors jack to access the eyepiece 20 ft in the air.

I like your thinking though. I wonder how much one of those would cost (if you have to ask, you can't afford it.)

Hear Hubble is approaching End of Life & the disposal costs would be considerable, not to mention the liability if the crashes on someone  .

Even a 17-20" would work in this case.

[bigmasterdrago]

That's big piece of rock!! Looks like good geometry over the 5 hours b4 beginning of astronomical twilight. Up 65° in SSW at 5:00CST for me in SE Texas. Out of reach in my 13 and at the edge of the 24 visually. I have MPC and JPL giving the magnitude as 15.6 during the 5 hours: midnight till 5am. Beginning low in the east (midnight) and ending high in the SW after Astronomical Twilight. Both MPC & JPL have same position. Speed mostly unchanged at ~59"/min. For me, minimum distance shows 2,631,450Km @06:00:11CST.

Thanks for the alert.