Close Approach of 2024 CR9

[PMSchu]

CNEOS predicts that the recently discovered NEO, 2024 CR9, will make a close approach on 2024-Jun-11 00:03±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.04924 AU moving with V Relative=7.38 km/sec, H=19.5 magnitude, diameter 330 m - 750 m and 'Rarity'=1. There's now a 100 day observation arc, the Condition Code=4 and the Earth MOID=0.0423965 AU The solution date was 2024-May-26 05:47:18 PDT. The last solution was computed on 2024 Apr 03 so I waited to report this close approach until the orbit was better defined. The initial reported observation was by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala on 2024-02-15. This MP is on the MPC's Potentially Hazardous Asteroids list that SkyTools can download from the MPC.

Using MPC's orbital elements for the epoch 2024 May 26 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that 2024 CR9 will reach a peak brightness of 14.1 magnitude on 2024 June 10 at 0300 EDTwhen the NEO will be 0.05 AU distant, traveling through Sagittarius at 11.8"/minute. The close approach is predicted to occur (to the nearest hour) on 2024 June 10 at 2000 EDT when the MP is predicted to be 14.2 magnitude in Sagittarius traveling at 12.4"/minute, but in daylight and below the horizon in Columbus, Ohio. On the night of May 27-28, 2024 CR9 is predicted to be 15.3 magnitude 0.08 AU distant in Centaurus. The light curve for this object is relatively flat since the close approach distance is ~0.05 AU.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this object:     

Here's the predicted path for 2024 CR9 as seen from Columbus, Ohio from 2024 June 1-June 23. It's going to pass through an interesting region of the sky and might make for some interesting images.

Good hunting,

Phil S.

[carlomuccini]

Thank you Phil
From my location in Tuscany is very very low, about 6° altitude

Carlo

[PMSchu]

Hi Carlo,

What's your latitude in Tuscany? Here at 40°N, near Columbus, 2024 CR9 will be in Sagittarius, ~15° above the southern horizon on the morning of 2024 Jun 10, but climbing to the northwest. If you're interested in minor planets, I can pay more attention to close approaches that are favorable for observation from Tuscany. I can use a nearby town from the SkyTools location database, or you can provide more accurate coordinates if you wish. Also, what is the faintest minor planet that you could detect? Most of the close approaching NEOs never get brighter than 18th magnitude.

I noticed that you're interested in creating lists of bright minor planets for your observing group.

Phil S.

[carlomuccini]

Thank you Phil

My Home is in Montecatini Terme - North Tuscany between Florence and Pisa
43° 53' N 10° 46' E

I track asteroids for my association and publish an article every month for opposition asteroids; It's for beginners and I only consider the brightest ones to entice newbies to approach this area.

Carlo

[PMSchu]

Thanks, Carlo,

You're ~4° north of my latitude, but that can make all the difference. 2024 CR9 will get higher above the horizon later in June. For example on the morning of June 16 it will be traveling through Capricornus at ~10"/minute at ~14.8 magnitude. Some of your association members might like to see this NEO moving in the field of view. It should be within a few degrees of (40) Harmonia which will be much brighter at 9.9 magnitude, but traveling at 14"/hour.

I'll add your location to my list of SkyTools Locations and watch for close approaches that are predicted to occur during the night for southern Europe. My longitude puts me in the Eastern Standard time zone (UTC-5), but we're currently UTC-4 during the summer.

What's the faintest NEO that you'd be interested in being alerted about?

Phil S.

Edit: I set your elevation to 10 meters. SkyTools lists both Florence and Pisa as 0 meters, but I figured you weren't right at sea level.

[carlomuccini]

Thank you Phil

but you don't need to worry so much about me.
I don't have a fixed location and I almost never follow NEOs; I follow some asteroids normally of magnitude <12; for some projects up to mag. 20,5 which I think is the maximum achievable for me.
Mine was just a curiosity stimulated by your post on NEOs

You are very kind, thank you

Carlo

Carlo

[PMSchu]

Hi Carlo,

No problem. I'm impressed that you're able ro reach magnitude 20.5, that's very difficult with a moving asteroid, although you didn't say that was your limit for asteroids. 

I'll continue to post about close approaches and you can follow as you wish.

Phil S.