Close Approach of (162825) 2001 BO61

[PMSchu]

CNEOS predicts that this large (0.66-1.5km) NEO will make a close approach on 2022 Sep 11 15:52±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.07963 AU. H=18.0, 'Rarity'=1, Condition Code=0.

Currently my ST4v is in the shop so I'm unable to calculate an ephemeris for this object. The distance & H are similar to Didymos that I posted about several days ago, so the brightness may be similar as well.

Since this object is an NEO, anyone interested in calculating an ephemeris for this object only needs to download the MPC's data file 'NEAs at Today's Epoch' using SkyTools to get the most recent orbital elements. There are currently ~29k NEOs known. Processing is much faster than for the full MPCORB.

If this NEO does look like a bright one, I'd be interested in knowing where it's going.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

[Dennis]

Hi Phil

According to our Bureau of Meteorology, we are in the throes of our 3rd La Nina event, with climate scientists saying it would bring cooler temperatures, more rainy days and higher risks of extreme weather.

However, we may have a clear spell over the coming weekend, so wish me luck and I'll see if I can take an image of this one.

Cheers

Dennis

   

[PMSchu]

Hi Dennis,

From what little I know of meterorology, we switch between El Nino & La Nina. That why it's called ENSO, El Nino Southern Oscillation. No matter what, it always seems to result in extreme weather.

Anyway, I have ST4v working again so here's an Interactive Atlas chart showing the predicted path of (162825) 2001 BO61 from 2022 Sep 11 to 15 as seen from Brisbane, Australia:  [attachment=2505]

ST4v predicts that the peak brightness of 15.4 magnitude will occur on Sep 13 at 2100 EDT when the NEO will be moving at 22.8"/min through Scorpius. The predicted minimum distance of 0.08 AU occurs on Sep 11 at 1200 EDT & 16.0 magnitude when it will be moving through Scorpius at 28.3"/min in daylight in Columbus, Ohio. The motion is fast for an NEO passing this far away & sure enough, CNEOS lists the relative velocity as 27.15 km/sec, the highest in the next 60 days.

This is a very good object for southern hemisphere observers, so I hope that you & George will be able to get a look at it.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

[Dennis]

It seems that the weather forecasters lied to me...we have had a run of cloudy nights with no clear skies as originally predicted, so no NEO's for me.

Oh well, such is life.

Cheers

Dennis

[PMSchu]

I made a run on iTelescope T69 at Siding Spring ~4AM on 12 September. I think it was partly cloudy during the exposures. The target was (161989) Cacus. I'll post an image in the Cacus thread.

Your weather has been positively horrid. At least the reservoirs are filling up.

Phil S.