Confirmation images of the NEO 2018 RP8

The NEO(Aten) 2018 RP8 (approximate diameters 320 m - 710 m [ 1049.87 foot -  2329.4 foot]) was first observed by ATLAS HKO (Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System)  on 2018-09-15. The observations were submitted to the Minor Planet Center(MPC) in Cambridge, Massachusetts using the observer-assigned temporary designation A108wr0. This "new" asteroid was posted to the NEO Confirmation Page(NEOCP) informing observers around the world that "A108wr0" needed confirmation observations.  In an  effort to help in the confirmation  I obtain 60-15 Second Luminance BIN2 taken using  iTelescope.net's(T21).


I use Astrometrica to do the data reduction by way of the stack and track method. I had Astrometrica stack 4 sets(stacks) of  15 images.  Each image was shifted match movement of  A108wr0.
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Confirmation image of the NEOCP(NEO Confirmation Page)object A108wr0 (now 2018 RP8)

from Mayhill, New Mexico 

[New Mexico Skies](MPC Code H06) 

15-15 second luminance BIN2 images

 taken with iTelescope.net's (T21)

By Steven M. Tilleyn

Confirmation image of the NEOCP(NEO Confirmation Page)object A108wr0 (now 2018 RP8)
from Mayhill, New Mexico 
[New Mexico Skies](MPC Code H06) 
15-15 second luminance BIN2 images
 taken with iTelescope.net's (T21)
By Steven M. Tilleyn

Confirmation image of the NEOCP(NEO Confirmation Page)object A108wr0 (now 2018 RP8)
from Mayhill, New Mexico 
[New Mexico Skies](MPC Code H06) 
15-15 second luminance BIN2 images
 taken with iTelescope.net's (T21)
By Steven M. Tilleyn

Confirmation image of the NEOCP(NEO Confirmation Page)object A108wr0 (now 2018 RP8)
from Mayhill, New Mexico 
[New Mexico Skies](MPC Code H06) 
15-15 second luminance BIN2 images
 taken with iTelescope.net's (T21)
By Steven M. Tilleyn

Confirmation image of the NEOCP(NEO Confirmation Page)object A108wr0 (now 2018 RP8)

from Mayhill, New Mexico 

[New Mexico Skies](MPC Code H06) 

60-15 second luminance BIN2 images

 taken with iTelescope.net's (T21)

By Steven M. Tilleyn

I submitted my observations to the  Minor Planet Center(MPC).

On 2018 Sept. 8 at 21:42 UTC the MPC Issued MPEC 2018-S25 : 2018 RP8 assigning the objet the provisonal designation 2018 RP8.

How Are Minor Planets Named?

The NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-11-24

See The NEO 2016 WJ1 Has Been Removed from the Sentry Risk Table--Neodys Risk Table List 3 Possible Impacts 2106-2115.

Background
(as of 2016-11-23) 

• Object: 2016 WJ1 
• Approximate Diameter: 150 m - 330 m (492.126 feet to 1082.68 feet)(Absolute Magnitude: H= 21.303)
• Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO]- Potentially Hazardous Asteroid
• On the Sentry Risk Table: yes NO  NOTE this is NOT a prediction of an impact but rather a statement there is insufficient observational data rule out an impact -- for information read  Understanding Risk Pages by Jon Giorgini
• On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: yes
• First observation was made: 2016 11 19.46522
• First observed by: Mt. Lemmon Survey (MPC Code G96) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2016-W38 : 2016 WJ1
• Last Observation(publish): 2016 11 23.32687 (byTenagra II Observatory, Nogales (MPC Code 926)
• Data-Arc Span(publish) : 4 days
• Number of Optical Observations(published): 56
  
• Perihelion Distance: 0.6659416098880451  (AU)
• Aphelion Distance: 2.008089275410093 (AU)
• Earth MOID: 0.000375787 AU (0.146 (LD)) or 34,931.584 miles (56,216.935 (KM))
• Close-Approach to Earth: Will safely pass Earth on 2016-December-16 at a Nominal Distance of  0.053816832705857 (AU) ( 20.944 (LD)) or 5,002,587.129 miles (8,050,883.58 (KM))

The NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-11-24 from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06)
a stack of 10- 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T11 TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M.Tilley

The NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-11-24 from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06)
a stack of 10- 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T11 TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M.Tilley

The NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-11-24 from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06)
a stack of 10- 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T11 TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M.Tilley

Useful Links:

• Space Situational Awareness(ESA) -- 2016 WJ1
• Near Earth Objects Dynamic Site--2016 WJ1
• (MPC) Observations --2016 WJ1
• JPL Orbit Diagram --2016 WJ1
• NEO Earth Close Approaches (JPL) (up coming)
• JPL's NEO Earth Close-Approaches  (Between 1900 A.D. and 2200 A.D- limited to encounters with  reasonably low uncertainty)
• The Tracking News
• NEO Coordination Centre 
• Speed of Light - Space - Distance Calculator
• Asteroid Hazards: The View from Space(MPC)
• Don’t fear apocalyptic asteroids: you’re safer than you think
• Understanding Risk Pages By Jon Giorgini
• Revised asteroid scale aids understanding of impact risk
• Near Earth Objects Scale Helps Risk Communication
• Dealing With the Impact Hazard: An International Project
• The Palermo Technical Impact Hazard Scale
• An Asteroid as Entered the Blogosphere… Should I Be Worried? A commentary by Steven M. Tilley
• International Asteroid Warning Network

The NEO 2016 WG on 2016-11-23

Background
(as of 2016-11-23) 

• Object: 2016 WG
• Approximate Diameter: 59 m - 130 m (193.57 feet to 426.509 feet)(Absolute Magnitude: H= 23.258)
• Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO]
• On the Sentry Risk Table: yes   NOTE this is NOT a prediction of an impact but rather a statement there is insufficient observational data rule out an impact -- for information read  Understanding Risk Pages by Jon Giorgini
• On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: yes
• First observation was made: 2016 11 18.43559
• First observed by: Mt. Lemmon Survey (MPC Code G96) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2016-W21 : 2016 WG
• Last Observation(publish): 2016 11 23.33429 (by LPL/Spacewatch II (MPC Code 291)
• Data-Arc Span(publish) : 5 days
• Number of Optical Observations(published): 101
• Perihelion Distance: 0.4718660174472272(AU)
• Aphelion Distance: 3.176881868525502 (AU)
• Earth MOID:  0.00171104 AU ( 0.666 (LD)) or 159,051.104 miles (255,967.941 (KM))
• Close-Approach to Earth: Will safely pass Earth on 2016-November-25 at a Nominal Distance of 0.0107875037239381 (AU) (4.198 (LD)) or 1,002,761.117 miles (1,613,787.587 (KM))

The NEO 2016 WG on 2016-11-23 from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06)
a stack of 4- 15 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T21 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M.Tilley

The NEO 2016 WG on 2016-11-23 from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06)
a stack of 4- 15 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T21 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M.Tilley

The NEO 2016 WG on 2016-11-23 from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06)
a stack of 4- 15 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T21 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M.Tilley

Useful Links:

• Space Situational Awareness(ESA) -- 2016 WG
• Near Earth Objects Dynamic Site--2016 WG
• (MPC) Observations --2016 WG
• JPL Orbit Diagram --2016 WG
• NEO Earth Close Approaches (JPL) (up coming)
• JPL's NEO Earth Close-Approaches  (Between 1900 A.D. and 2200 A.D- limited to encounters with  reasonably low uncertainty)
• The Tracking News
• NEO Coordination Centre 
• Speed of Light - Space - Distance Calculator
• Asteroid Hazards: The View from Space(MPC)
• Don’t fear apocalyptic asteroids: you’re safer than you think
• Understanding Risk Pages By Jon Giorgini
• Revised asteroid scale aids understanding of impact risk
• Near Earth Objects Scale Helps Risk Communication
• Dealing With the Impact Hazard: An International Project
• The Palermo Technical Impact Hazard Scale
• An Asteroid as Entered the Blogosphere… Should I Be Worried? A commentary by Steven M. Tilley
• International Asteroid Warning Network

Comet C/2013 X1 (PANSTARRS) On 2016-01-15

Comet C/2013 X1 (PANSTARRS) On 2016-01-15 

 Background

(as of 2016-01-15)

•  Object:  C/2013 X1 (PANSTARRS)
• Orbit Type:  Hyperbolic Comet 
• First Observed  on: 2013 11 29.47333
• First Observed  By: Mt. Lemmon Survey (MPC Code G96)(Precovery -- discover by Pan-STARRS(MPC Code F51) ), (The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2013-X29 : COMET C/2013 X1 (PANSTARRS))
• Last Observed(publish):2015 12 21.81935
• Data-Arc Span(publish) : 752 days (2.06 yr) 
•  Number of Observations(publish):1707

The Comet C/2013 X1(PANSTARRS) on 2016-01-15 from
Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) - (MPC Code H06) on 2016-01-15
a stack of 27-60 seconds Luminance BIN2
images taken with itelescope.net's
(TEL T21 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

Astrometrica object verification window a 60 second Luminance BIN2 image(1 of 27) taken with itelescope.net's (TEL T21 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer) fromMayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) - (MPC Code H06)

Astrometrica object verification window a 60 second Luminance BIN2 image(9 of 27) taken with itelescope.net's (TEL T21 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer) fromMayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) - (MPC Code H06)

Astrometrica object verification window a 60 second Luminance BIN2 image(18 of 27) taken with itelescope.net's (TEL T21 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer) fromMayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) - (MPC Code H06)

Astrometrica object verification window a 60 second Luminance BIN2 image(27 of 27) taken with itelescope.net's (TEL T21 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer) fromMayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) - (MPC Code H06)

Other links:

• (MPC) Observations C/2013 X1 (PANSTARRS)  
• JPL Orbit Diagram C/2013 X1 (PANSTARRS)    
• Comet C/2013 X1 PANSTARRS - Heavens-Above 
• Comet C/2013 X1 (PANSTARRS) | TheSkyLive.com 
• C/2013 X1 ( PanSTARRS ) - Seiichi Yoshida's Home Page
•  C/2013 X1 (PANSTARRS) at perihelion(In The Sky) 
• CometBase. Light curve of comet C/2013 X1 (PANSTARRS)
•  Astroblog: Seeing Comet C/2013 X1 and its Outburst in Australia

The NEO 2015 YC2 on 2016-01-10

 Background

(as of 2016-01-11)

•  Object: 2015 YC2
• Approximate Diameter: 56 m - 120 m (183.727 feet to 393.701 feet) ( Absolute Magnitude:  H= 23.4 )
•  Orbit Type:  Apollo 
•  On the Sentry Risk Table:  Yes  NOTE this  is NOT a prediction of an  impact  but rather a statement there is insufficient observational data rule out  an impact -- for infomation read  Understanding Risk Pages by Jon Giorgini
• On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: Yes
• First Observed  on: 2015 12 19.27013
• First Observed  By: Mt. Lemmon Survey (MPC Code G96) ,  (The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2015-Y67 : 2015 YC2)
•  Last Observed: 2016 01 11.36839
•  Data-Arc Span: 23 day
•  Number Oppositions : 1
•  Number of Observations Made:  90
• Next Close-Approach:  Will safely pass Earth on  2016-Jan-15 at  Nominal Distance of 0.0126600709130298 AU (4.93 (LD)) or1,176,827.112  miles or (1,893,919.651 KM)

(1 of 3) Stacks of 8 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken with  itelescope.net's (TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

(2 of 3) Stacks of 8 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken with  itelescope.net's (TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

(3 of 3) Stacks of 8 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken with  itelescope.net's (TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

(1 of 3) Stacks of 15 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken with Using itelescope.net's (TEL T21 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

(2 of 3) Stacks of 15 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken with Using itelescope.net's (TEL T21 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

(3 of 3) Stacks of 15 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken with Using itelescope.net's (TEL T21 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

Other links:

• MPEC 2016-A91 : DAILY ORBIT UPDATE (2016 JAN. 10 UT)
• Near Earth Objects Dynamic Site--2015 YC2
• (MPC) Observations 2015 YC2 
• JPL Orbit Diagram 2015 YC2 
• NEO Earth Close Approaches (JPL)
• Graphic Tool Orbit animation (SpaceDys)
• The Tracking News 
• NEO Coordination Centre
• JPL NEO Program Sentry
• NEODyS CLOMON2 risk pages 
• list of removed objects 
• Palermo Technical Impact Hazard Scale
• The Torino Impact Hazard Scale
• Impact Risk Assessment: An Introduction

The Recovery on 2nd Opposition of the Asteroid 2011 YS62 From 2015-09-26 To 2015-09-28

 Observing Runs Looking for 2011 YS62 from 2015-08-26 to 2015-08-28

When it comes to target selection there two criteria I use first is would additional observations be useful, the second is the target in range of the telescope's capability. To find targets I check one or all of the lists (see below) and see if the target is range of the telescope's capability (if it is important I will push the limit of the range) Then I will plan an observing run.  Recently I checked the Arecibo Asteroid Schedule and I saw they had requested optical astrometry for 2011 YS62.  At the time this asteroid had a data-arc span of 89 days and had been unobserved for 1314 days (3.597 years)

First Night 

I first did run of 15 - 120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on itelescope.net's (TEL T27), with no luck,. Next I used  Find_Orb to generate new orbital elements with Epoch  2015 Sep 26.0  and did a another run 15. I also used  Find_Orb's Monte Carlo function to generate a lot of clones(virtual asteroids) orbital elements and then manually add them to Astrometrica's MPCOrb.dat file. Then  I created 3 stacks of  5 images and found a moving object near the known object box of one of the clones. I assigned  a temporary designation to the object and  submitted night one's observations to the Minor Planet Center. 

Astrometrica object verification window a stack (1 of  3 First Night )  a  stacks 5 - 120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on itelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD)  at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)

Astrometrica object verification window a stack (2 of  3 First Night )  a  stacks 5 - 120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on itelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD)  at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)

Astrometrica object verification window a stack (1 of  3 First Night )  a  stacks 5 - 120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on itelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD)  at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)

Second Night

Using Find_Orb I generated two orbits one was with just night one’s observations, the other with 2011 YS62 and night one's observations (“updated orbit”) and manually replaced the "clones" orbital elements.  Next I  ran a series of 6-120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on  itelescope.net's (TEL T27) and  created a stacks of  5 images and found an object at the  known object  box for  the "updated orbit".  Then I ran a second run of 6 images and created a stack of 5 and saw that the object was moving.  Later on I ran another run of 15 images and created a 3 more stacks of 5 images. I assigned a (new) temporary designation to the object and submitted the second night’s observations to the Minor Planet Center.  Shortly thereafter the object was listed on the NEO Confirmation Page.              

Astrometrica object verification window a stack (1 of  5 Second Night )  a  stacks 5 - 120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on itelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD)  at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)

Astrometrica object verification window a stack (2 of  5 Second Night )  a  stacks 5- 120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on itelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD)  at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)

Astrometrica object verification window a stack (3 of  5 Second Night )  a  stacks 5- 120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on itelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD)  at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)

Astrometrica object verification window a stack (4 of  5 Second Night )  a  stacks 5- 120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on itelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD)  at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)

Astrometrica object verification window a stack (3 of  5 Second Night )  a  stacks 5- 120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on itelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD)  at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)

Third Night

I did the same orbit  update has I did the night before then, I obtain 32--120 Second Luminance BIN2 images with itelescope.net's (TEL T27) and created 3 stacks of  10  image and  submitted  the third night observations to the Minor Planet Center using the designation that was on the NEO Confirmation Page.

Astrometrica object verification window a stack (1 of  3 First Night )  a  stacks 10 - 120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on itelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD)  at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)

Astrometrica object verification window a stack (2 of  3 First Night )  a  stacks 10 - 120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on itelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD)  at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)

Astrometrica object verification window a stack (3 of  3 First Night )  a  stacks 10 - 120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on itelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD)  at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)

On 2015 Sept. 28 the Minor Planet Center issued MPEC 2015-S102: 2011 YS62  with the observations from the three nights of and updated orbital elements.

 Background

(as of 2015-09-30)

•  Object: 2011 YS62
• Approximate Diameter: 310 m - 680 m (1017.06 feet to 2230.97 feet) ( Absolute Magnitude:  H=  19.7 )
•  Orbit Type: Amor
• First Observed was made  on: 2011 12 29.15398
• First Observed  By: Pan-STARRS 1 (MPC Code F51) 
•  Assignment of asterisk: Catalina Sky Survey (MPC Code 703) For infomation on how discoverer is defined read MPEC 2010-U20 : EDITORIAL NOTICE
•  Last Observed: 2015 09 28.58389
•  Data-Arc Span: 1405 days (3.85 yr) 
•  Number Oppositions :2
•  Number of Observations Made:  85
• Next Close-Approach:  Will safely pass Earth on  2015-Nov-2 at Nominal Distance of 0.0914513682160852 AU (35.59(LD)) or 8,500,935.758 miles or ( 13,680,929.957 KM)
• On the Goldstone Asteroid Schedule: NO
• On the Arecibo Asteroid Schedule:  YES,  Dates: 2015 Nov 29 (Request Optical Astrometry: No(It was request before recovery was made), Request Optical  Lightcurve:NO, Request Optical Characterization NO)

  Target lists
   

• The NEO Confirmation Page
•  The Possible Comet Confirmation Page 
•  JPL's Sentry Risk Table 
•  the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page:
•  Spaceguard Central Node's Priority List 
•  Near-Earth Object Human Space Flight Accessible Targets Study (NHATS)
•  The Goldstone Asteroid Schedule
•  The Arecibo Asteroid Schedule
• The Minor Planet Center(has some useful tools)

  Other Links

• Near Earth Objects Dynamic Site--2011 YS62
• (MPC) Observations 2011 YS62 
• JPL Orbit Diagram 2011 YS62 
• NEO Earth Close Approaches (JPL)
• The Tracking News 
• NEO Coordination Centre
• MPC's Guide to Minor Body Astronomy
• MPC Editorial Notice 2011-E67 
• List of removed objects 
• Palermo Technical Impact Hazard Scale
• The Torino Impact Hazard Scale
• Impact Risk Assessment: An Introduction 
• Practical guide on how to observe NEOCP object
• Understanding Risk Pages by Jon Giorgini