Translate

Showing posts with label Close-Approach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Close-Approach. Show all posts

Oct 2, 2017

The Asteroid 2012 TC4 on 2017-10-01

 

The NEO 2012 TC4 on 2017-10-01 from
Sierra Remote Observatory. Auberry California USA (MPC U69)
a stack of 34-120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
taken with iTelescope.net's
(TEL T24 0.61-m f/6.5 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2012 TC4 on 2017-10-01 from
Sierra Remote Observatory. Auberry California USA (MPC U69)
a stack of 15-120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
taken with iTelescope.net's
(TEL T24 0.61-m f/6.5 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley
 
The NEO 2012 TC4 on 2017-10-01 from
Sierra Remote Observatory. Auberry California USA (MPC U69)
a stack of 15-120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
taken with iTelescope.net's
(TEL T24 0.61-m f/6.5 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2012 TC4 on 2017-10-01 from
Sierra Remote Observatory. Auberry California USA (MPC U69)
a stack of 15-120 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
taken with iTelescope.net's
(TEL T24 0.61-m f/6.5 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley
 Background
(as of 2017-10-01)

  •  Object: 2012 TC4
  • Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO]
  • Approximate Diameter: 12m- 27 m  (39.3701 feet to 88.5827  feet)(Absolute Magnitude: H= 26.7)
  • 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 more information read  Understanding Risk Pages by Jon Giorgini
  • Torino Scale 0
    • "The likelihood of a collision is zero, or is so low as to be effectively zero. Also applies to small objects such as meteors and bodies that burn up in the atmosphere as well as infrequent meteorite falls that rarely cause damage.."
  • On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: Yes
    • NEODyS Recovery Campaign: 2017-08-31 to 2017-10-24
  • Discovery observation was made: 2012 10 04.467661
  • Discovery observation was made by Pan-STARRS 1 (MPC Code F51) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2012-T18 : 2012 TC4
  • Last Observation (publish): 2017 09 28.45648 (by the at Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala  (MPC Code F51 ) )
  • Data-Arc Span (publish):  1820 days (4.98 years)
  • Number of Optical Observations(published):445
  • Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):
    • (089) Nikolaev, Ukraine.
    • (104) San Marcello Pistoiese,Italy.
    •  (113) Drebach, Germany.
    • (204) Schiaparelli Observatory,Italy.
    • (291) LPL/Spacewatch II, US/Arizona.
    • (300) Bisei Spaceguard Center-BATTeRS, Japan. 
    • (309) Cerro Paranal, Chile. 
    • (461) Szeged University, Piszkéstető Stn. (Konkoly), Hungary. 
    • (470) Ceccano, Italy.
    • (695) Kitt Peak, US/Arizona. 
    • (703) Catalina Sky Survey, US/Arizona. 
    • (716) Palmer Divide Observatory, Colorado Springs, US/Colorado.
    • (718) Tooele  (N40.641406 W112.295800)  US/Utah.  
    • (807) Cerro Tololo Observatory, La Serena,Chile.   
    • (857) Iowa Robotic Observatory, Sonoita US/Arizona.
    • (900) Moriyama, Japan.
    • (932) John J. McCarthy Obs., New Milford, US/Connecticut.
    • (B04) OAVdA, Saint-Barthelemy,Italy.  
    • (B88) Bigmuskie Observatory, Mombercelli, Italy.
    • (C32) Ka-Dar Observatory, TAU Station, Nizhny Arkhyz, Russia.
    • (C77) Bernezzo Observatory, Italy.
    • (E10) Siding Spring-Faulkes Telescope South, Australia/NSW.
    • (F51) Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala, US/Hawaii.
    • (F65) Haleakala-Faulkes Telescope North, US/Hawaii.
    • (G40) Slooh.com Canary Islands Observatory,Canary Islands (Spain). 
    • (G48) Harlingten Research Observatory, Rancho Hildalgo, US/New Mexico.
    • (G96) Mt. Lemmon Survey,US/Arizona.  
    • (H01) Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Socorro, US/New   Mexico. 
    • (H06) iTelescope, Mayhill, US/New   Mexico. 
    • (H17) Angel Peaks Observatory,US/Colorado.
    • (H21) Astronomical Research Observatory, Westfield, US/Illinois. 
    • (H36) Sandlot Observatory, Scranton, US/Kansas.
    • (J04) ESA Optical Ground Station, Tenerife, Canary   Islands (Spain).  
    • (J16) An Carraig Observatory, Loughinisland,UK.
    • (J84) South Observatory, Clanfield,UK.
    • (J95) Great Shefford,UK.  
    • (T09) Mauna Kea-UH/Tholen NEO Follow-Up (Subaru), US/Hawaii.
    • (T12) Mauna Kea-UH/Tholen NEO Follow-Up (2.24-m),US/Hawaii. 
    • (U69) iTelescope SRO Observatory, Auberry, US/California.  
    • (W85) Cerro Tololo-LCO A, Chile.
  •  Perihelion Distance: 0.9339351095314381(AU)
  •  Aphelion Distance:1.877536903700616(AU)
  • Earth MOID (Earth center to NEO center):0.000146791 AU (0.057( LD)), (3.446 Earth radii)  or 13,645.076 miles ( 21,959.471 (KM))
  • Next Close-Approach to Earth:  Will safely pass Earth on 2017-Oct-12 at a 
    • Minimum Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of 0.000335152723175429(AU) (0.13(LD)), (7.8697 Earth radii) or 31,154.392 miles (50,138.134(KM)) 
    • Nominal Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of 0.000335252629744477(AU) (0.13(LD)), ( 7.8720 Earth radii) or 31,163.679 miles ( 50,153.08(KM))
    • Maximum Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of 0.000335352538623426(AU) (0.13 (LD)), (7.8744 Earth radii) or 31,172.966 miles (50,168.026(KM))   
  •  Goldstone Asteroid Schedule: Yes  2017 Oct ( Needs Astrometry: No Physical Observations Yes)

Posted by No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Aug 7, 2017

The Asteroid 2012 TC4 Has Been Recovered

his animation depicts the safe flyby of asteroid 2012 TC4 as it passes under
 Earth on Oct. 12, 2017. While scientists cannot yet predict exactly how 
close it will approach, they are certain it will come no closer than 4,200
 miles (6,800 kilometers) from Earth's surface.Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech

The observers  O. Hainaut, D. Koschny, and M. Micheli using the 8.2-meter VLT (Very Large Telescope)  at Cerro Paranal, Chile(MPC Code 309)   have recovered the asteroid 2012 TC4. The asteroid was observed from 2017 07 27.2465042 to 2017 08 05.39707023 and five observations were taken. The new observations greatly lowers the uncertainty where it will be in the future.

Given the closeness of the October 12, 2017 close approach and the fact that 2012 TC4 is listed on  risk list(for 2020 an beyond) created a buzz on the internet 2012 TC4.  On July 28, 2017 NASA  announced an observation campaign  headed by Dr. Vishnu Reddy. NASA plans to close approach to test their "network of observatories and scientists who work with planetary defense."

Background
(as of 2017-07-06)

  •  Object: 2012 TC4
  • Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO]
  • Approximate Diameter: 12 m - 27 m (  39.3701 feet to 88.5827  feet)(Absolute Magnitude: H= 26.7)
  • 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 more information read  Understanding Risk Pages by Jon Giorgini
  • Torino Scale 0
    • "The likelihood of a collision is zero, or is so low as to be effectively zero. Also applies to small objects such as meteors and bodies that burn up in the atmosphere as well as infrequent meteorite falls that rarely cause damage.."
  • On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: Yes
    • NEODyS Recovery Campaign: 2017-08-31 to 2017-10-24
  • Discovery observation was made: 2012 10 04.467661
  • Discovery observation was made by Pan-STARRS 1 (MPC Code F51) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2012-T18 : 2012 TC4
  • Last Observation (publish): 2017 08 05.397070(by the 8.2-meter VLT (Very Large Telescope)  at Cerro Paranal, Chile(MPC Code 309)  )
  • Data-Arc Span (publish): 1766 days (4.838  years)
  • Number of Optical Observations(published):301
  • Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):
    • (089) Nikolaev,  Ukraine.
    • (104) San Marcello Pistoiese, Italy.
    • (113) Volkssternwarte Drebach, Schoenbrunn, Germany.
    • (204) Schiaparelli Observatory, Italy
    • (291) LPL/Spacewatch II, US/Arizona.
    • (300) Bisei Spaceguard Center-BATTeRS, Japan.
    • (309) Cerro Paranal, Chile
    • (461) University of Szeged, Piszkesteto Stn (Konkoly), Hungary.
    • (470) Ceccano, Italy.
    • (568) Mauna Kea, US/Hawaii.
    • (695) Kitt Peak, US/Arizona.
    • (703) Catalina Sky Survey, US/Arizona.
    • (716) Palmer Divide Observatory, Colorado Springs, US/Colorado.
    • (718) Tooele, US/Utah.  
    • (857) Iowa Robotic Observatory, Sonoita, US/Arizona.
    • (900) Moriyama, Japan.
    • (932) John J. McCarthy Obs., New Milford,  US/Connecticut.
    • (B04) OAVdA, Saint-Barthelemy, Italy. 
    • (B88) Bigmuskie Observatory, Mombercelli, Italy.
    • (C32) Ka-Dar Observatory, TAU Station, Nizhny Arkhyz, Russia.
    • (C77) Bernezzo Observatory, Italy.
    • (E10) Siding Spring-Faulkes Telescope South, Australia/NSW.
    • (F51) Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala, US/Hawaii
    • (F65) Haleakala-Faulkes Telescope North, US/Hawaii.
    • (G40) Slooh.com Canary Islands Observatory, Canary Islands (Spain).
    • (G48) Doc Greiner Research Obs., Rancho Hildalgo,  US/New Mexico.
    • (H06) iTelescope Observatory, Mayhill, US/New Mexico.  
    • (H17) Angel Peaks Observatory, US/Colorado.
    • (H21) Astronomical Research Observatory, Westfield, US/Illinois.
    • (H36) Sandlot Observatory, Scranton, US/Kansas
    • (J16) An Carraig Observatory, Loughinisland, UK.
    • (J84) South Observatory, Clanfield, UK.
    • (J95) Great Shefford, UK.
  • Perihelion Distance: 0.9337118172491301(AU)
  • Aphelion Distance: 1.877545179495153(AU) 
  • Earth MOID (Earth center to NEO center): AU 0.000249707( (0.097 LD)), (5.86 Earth radii)  or  23,211.716 miles ( 37,355.635 (KM))
  • Next Close-Approach to Earth:  Will safely pass Earth on 2017-Oct-12 at a 
    • Nominal Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of 0.000335174413034106(AU) (0.13(LD)), (7.87 Earth radii) or 31,156.408 miles ( 50,141.379 (KM)) 
    • Minimum Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of 0.000332681020635643(AU) (0.129(LD)), (7.81 Earth radii) or 30,924.633 miles (49,768.372 (KM)) 
    • Maximum Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of 0.000337670398414312(AU) ( 0.131(LD)), (7.93 Earth radii) or 31,388.424 miles (50,514.773 (KM))   
Useful Links:
Posted by No comments:
Labels: , , , , , ,

Jan 30, 2017

The Near-Earth Object 2016 WF9 , the Flyby, the Hullabaloo, and the Facts

The Discovery

An artist’s rendition of 2016 WF9 as it passes Jupiter’s orbit inbound
toward the Sun. Image: Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech
On 2016 November 27 at 6:27:07.77(UTC) the NEOWISE project took the first of a series of images of a "new object." A report for this new object was submitted to the Minor Planet Center(MPC) The "object"(with its observations) was posted to the NEO Confirmation Page. Observers from four other observatories submitted follow-up observations, and on 2016 November 30, 04:19 (UTC) the MPC issued a Minor Planet Electronic Circular (MPEC 2016-W125: 2016 WF9) announcing the discovery. This object was given the provisional designation 2016 WF9. This designation tells the world that this asteroid was discovered in the year 2016 during the half-month of November 16-30(W) and it was the 231st(F9) discovery of that half-month.

Follow-up After Discovery 

After the MPC had issued The Minor Planet Electronic Circular announcing the discovery, follow-up observations were made, and prediscovery observations were found adding up to a total of 61 observations spanning 111 days. Each observations records were in the sky 2016 WF9 was seen from the given location at the given time. Given that asteroid and comets follow the laws of planetary motion and move through the solar system in elliptical orbits each observation eliminates many  possibilities of where in the solar system the asteroid can be in the future. Near-Earth Object observational data is generally made available within 24 hours after it is submitted to the MPC.  Anyone who has the knowledge and the software can do their own orbit determination. The available observational data for 2016 WF9 rules out any impact for the foreseeable future.  It should also be noted that observations from other observatories serve as a cross check.

What set 2016 WF9 apart from other Near-Earth Objects is first it has a Tisserand Parameter of 2.893. Most asteroids have a Tisserand Parameter greater than 3, and most Jupiter Family Comets have a Tisserand Parameter between 2 and 3. In other words, it has a "comet-like" orbit.  The second thing about 2016 WF9 is it is rather dark. Given that  2016 WF9 has a "comet-like" orbit and is rather dark lends astronomers to believe it may have cometary origins; however, no cometary activity has been observed yet. 

2016 WF9 Comes to the  Attention of the General Public

On December 29, 2016, NASA call 2016 WF9 to the attention of the public at large by issuing the press release titled "NASA's NEOWISE Mission Spies One Comet, Maybe Two." The press release reported information about the comet C/2016 U1 NEOWISE and 2016 WF9 including information on an unremarkable close-approach and stated: "The trajectory of 2016 WF9 is well understood, and the object is not a threat to Earth for the foreseeable future." In the days that follow this story was picked up by other news outlets, some which blurred the line between journalism and creative writing.

Keep in mind as a story moves through the blogosphere it changes like the "telephone game." The original story is misread, poorly translated, misunderstood, etc. then rewritten by other writers with the wrong information. Then other writers then use the revised story as a source for new stories adding to the madness. One should seek out the original story(and see if it is reliable).
Background
(as of 2017-01-29 ) 
  • Object: 2016 WF9
  • Orbit Type:  Apollo [NEO] Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (NOTE: this is over hundreds if not  thousands of years) 
  • Approximate Diameter:   270 m - 590 m( 885.827 feet to  1935.696 feet)(Absolute Magnitude: H= 20.2)
  • On the Sentry Risk Table: No (Removed ) 2016-12-20 16:00
  • On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: No (Removed )
  • First(Precovery) Observation was made: 2016 10 10.42213
  • First(Precovery) Observed by: Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala (MPC Code F51) The Precovery  M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2017-A66 : DAILY ORBIT UPDATE (2017 JAN. 9 UT)
  • Discovery (First) observation was made: 2016 11 27.26884
  • Discovery (First )observation by: NEOWISE (MPC Code C51)The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2016-W125: 2016 WF9
  • Last Observation (publish): 2017 01 29.18221  (by  LPL/Spacewatch II (MPC Code 291 )  )
  • Data-Arc Span (publish): 111 days
  • Number of Optical Observations(published): 61
  • Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):
    • (291) LPL/Spacewatch II, US/Arizona. 
    • (474) Mount John Observatory, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.
    • (807) Cerro Tololo Observatory, La Serena, Chile. 
    • (C51) NEOWISE
    • (F51) Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala, US/Hawaii.
    • (Q64) Siding Spring-LCOGT B, Australia/NSW.
    • (T12) Mauna Kea-UH/Tholen NEO Follow-Up (2.24-m), US/Hawaii.
  • Perihelion Distance: 0.9817420310009939(AU)
  • Aphelion Distance:  4.759885397693941
  • Earth MOID: 0.0145594 AU ( 5.666 (LD)) or 1,353,380.78  miles (2,178,055.239 (KM))
  • Next Close-Approach to Earth:  Will safely pass Earth on 2017-Feb-25 at a Nominal Distance of  0.340740651006311 (AU) (132.607 (LD)) or  31,673,822.283 miles (50,974,075.848 (KM)) - to put things in perspective "If" the Earth Was the Size of a Basketball this would be  ~ 3,126.54 feet (952.97meters) away) 
Correction


This past has been corrected to show that 2016 WF9 was at one listed on the JPL Sentry and NEODyS risk list. see The Tracking News 30 November 2016 #2016 WF9 The author thanks the reader for the correction,
Useful Links:

Posted by No comments:
Labels: , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)