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

May 29, 2018

Re-Observing 2015 FP118 Another Look Almost Three Years later

When I am looking objects to observer, I try to find something within the capabilities of the telescope, interesting, and 'needing" observation. To these ends I check following lists:
On 2018-05-28 I saw  that 2015 FP118 was on both the Arecibo and Goldstone lists, needing astrometry,  and it was within the capabilities of iTelescope.net's (T27 TEL 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD) so I went for it. As I was create a directory so I could downloading the .FITS(Flexible Image Transport System) files I found out that I observed 2015 FP118  for  19.6 min on  2015-06-06.

The NEO 2015 FP118 on 2018-05-28 from
Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 45 - 60 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T27 TEL 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD)
By Steven M. Tilley

The NEO 2015 FP118 on 2015-06-06 from
 Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
 a stack of 22 - 60 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T27 TEL 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD)
By Steven M. Tilley
 Background
(as of 2018-05-29)
  • Object: 2015 FP118
  • Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO, PHA]
  • Approximate Diameter: 370 m - 820 m(1213.911 feet to 2690.289 feet) (Absolute Magnitude: H= 19.3)
  • On the Sentry Risk Table: NO( Removed 2015-04-02 15:53:35)
  • On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: NO 
  • Discovery observation was made on: 2015 03 21.57498
  • Discovery observation was made by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala (MPC Code F51) The Discovery M.P.E.C.:MPEC 2015-F132: 2015 FP118
  • Last Observation (publish): 2018 05 28.56107 (at iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring, Australia (MPC Code Q62) )
  • Data-Arc Span (publish): 1164 days (3.19 yr) 
  • Number of Optical Observations(published):133
  • Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):
    • (204) Schiaparelli Observatory,Italy. 
    • (290) Mt. Graham-VATT,US/Arizona.
    • (291) LPL/Spacewatch II,US/Arizona. 
    • (568) Mauna Kea, US/Hawaii.
    • (691) Steward Observatory, Kitt Peak - Spacewatch US/Arizona.
    • (703) Catalina Sky Survey, US/Arizona.
    • (711) McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis, US/Texas.
    • (807) Cerro Tololo Observatory, La Serena, Chile.
    • (926) Tenagra II, US/Arizona.
    • (D29) Purple Mountain Observatory, XuYi Station 
    • (F51) Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala US/Hawaii. 
    • (G96) Mt. Lemmon Survey, US/Arizona.
    • (Q62) iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring
  • Perihelion Distance 0.9541884017671265 (AU)
  • Aphelion Distance: 3.28765938878308 (AU)
  • Earth MOID (Earth center to NEO center): 0.029858 AU ((11.62 LD)), ( 701.09 Earth radii) or 2,775,474.494 miles ( 4,466,693.22 ( KM))[If the Earth was the size of a Basketball this would be 276.261 Feet(84.204 Meters)]
  • Next Close-Approach to Earth: Will safely pass Earth on 2018-Sep-03:
    • Minimum Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of 0.0314378825351047 (AU) (12.235  (LD)),  (738.195 Earth radii) or  2,922,333.75 miles ( 4,703,040.286 (KM)) 
    • Nominal Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of   0.031438612821003 (AU) (12.235 (LD)), (738.212 Earth radii) or  2,922,401.634  miles (4,703,149.536 (KM))
    • Maximum Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of  0.0314393431490244 (AU) (12.235 (LD)), (738.229 Earth radii) or  2,922,469.522 miles (4,703,258.791 (KM))
  • Goldstone Asteroid Schedule: Yes 2018 Sep (Needs Astrometry: Yes Needs Physical Observations: Yes)
  • On the Arecibo Asteroid Schedule:  YES,  Dates 2018 Aug (Request Optical Astrometry: YES , Request Optical  Lightcurve:YES, Request Optical Characterization YES) 

May 21, 2018

A Scale Model of the Earth if the Earth was the Size of a Basketball as of 2018-05-20



A Scale Model of the Earth if the Earth was the Size of a Basketball - Radius 12.0275 CM(4.73523622 inches)


Top of the Troposphere--0.038cm (0.015inches) 0.001 Ft
Top of the Stratosphere--0.113cm (0.045inches) 0.004 Ft
Top of the mesosphere--0.227cm (0.089inches) 0.007 Ft
STS-1(Perigee)--0.453cm (0.178inches) 0.015 Ft
STS-1(apogee)--0.474cm (0.187inches) 0.016 Ft
ISS(Perigee)--0.757cm (0.298inches) 0.025 Ft
ISS(apogee)--0.770cm (0.303inches) 0.025 Ft
Top of the Thermosphere--1.133cm (0.446inches) 0.037 Ft



The 50  closest  observed  NEO Earth close approaches as of  2018-05-20


01. The 2011-Feb-04 fly by of 2011 CQ1--10.347cm (4.074inches) 0.339 Ft
02. The 2008-Oct-09 fly by of 2008 TS26--11.816cm (4.652inches) 0.388 Ft
03. The 2004-Mar-31 fly by of 2004 FU162--12.351cm (4.862inches) 0.405 Ft
04. The 2016-Feb-25 fly by of 2016 DY30--14.978cm (5.897inches) 0.491 Ft
05. The 2017-Apr-04 fly by of 2017 GM--18.681cm (7.355inches) 0.613 Ft
06. The 2017-Oct-20 fly by of 2017 UJ2--21.756cm (8.565inches) 0.714 Ft
07. The 2011-Jun-27 fly by of 2011 MD--23.184cm (9.127inches) 0.761 Ft
08. The 2014-Jun-03 fly by of 2014 LY21--25.810cm (10.161inches) 0.847 Ft
09. The 2009-Nov-06 fly by of 2009 VA--26.590cm (10.469inches) 0.872 Ft
10. The 2012-May-29 fly by of 2012 KT42--27.263cm (10.734inches) 0.894 Ft
11. The 2017-Mar-02 fly by of 2017 EA--27.420cm (10.795inches) 0.900 Ft
12. The 2016-Sep-11 fly by of 2016 RN41--32.749cm (12.893inches) 1.074 Ft
13. The 2015-Sep-22 fly by of 2015 SK7--38.208cm (15.043inches) 1.254 Ft
14. The 2016-Jan-12 fly by of 2016 AH164--38.293cm (15.076inches) 1.256 Ft
15. The 2013-Dec-23 fly by of 2013 YB--39.225cm (15.443inches) 1.287 Ft
16. The 2017-Nov-26 fly by of 2017 WE30--44.815cm (17.644inches) 1.470 Ft
17. The 2016-Mar-11 fly by of 2016 EF195--47.677cm (18.771inches) 1.564 Ft
18. The 2008-Oct-20 fly by of 2008 US--50.052cm (19.705inches) 1.642 Ft
19. The 2004-Dec-19 fly by of 2004 YD5--51.949cm (20.452inches) 1.704 Ft
20. The 2013-Feb-15 fly by of 367943 Duende (2012 DA14)--52.259cm (20.574inches) 1.715 Ft
21. The 2015-Nov-15 fly by of 2015 VY105--53.303cm (20.985inches) 1.749 Ft
22. The 2016-Jan-14 fly by of 2016 AN164--57.900cm (22.795inches) 1.900 Ft
23. The 2010-Nov-17 fly by of 2010 WA--61.321cm (24.142inches) 2.012 Ft
24. The 2018-Jan-18 fly by of 2018 BD--61.859cm (24.354inches) 2.030 Ft
25. The 2015-Feb-17 fly by of 2015 DD1--62.075cm (24.439inches) 2.037 Ft
26. The 2014-Sep-07 fly by of 2014 RC--63.313cm (24.927inches) 2.077 Ft
27. The 2011-Feb-06 fly by of 2011 CF22--63.839cm (25.134inches) 2.094 Ft
28. The 2016-Sep-07 fly by of 2016 RB1--64.398cm (25.354inches) 2.113 Ft



Geosynchronous orbit--67.559cm (26.598inches) 2.216 Ft



29. The 2008-Nov-03 fly by of 2008 VM--75.248cm (29.625inches) 2.469 Ft
30. The 2004-Mar-18 fly by of 2004 FH--80.665cm (31.758inches) 2.646 Ft
31. The 2017-Oct-12 fly by of 2012 TC4--82.650cm (32.540inches) 2.712 Ft
32. The 2010-Oct-12 fly by of 2010 TD54--85.742cm (33.757inches) 2.813 Ft
33. The 2017-Jan-30 fly by of 2017 BH30--85.850cm (33.799inches) 2.817 Ft
34. The 2010-Nov-30 fly by of 2010 XB--87.847cm (34.586inches) 2.882 Ft
35. The 2013-Apr-18 fly by of 2013 HT25--89.662cm (35.300inches) 2.942 Ft
36. The 2017-May-04 fly by of 2017 JB2--93.008cm (36.617inches) 3.051 Ft
37. The 2014-Aug-31 fly by of 2014 RA--95.026cm (37.412inches) 3.118 Ft
38. The 2016-Apr-04 fly by of 2016 GN134--95.974cm (37.785inches) 3.149 Ft
39. The 2012-May-28 fly by of 2012 KP24--96.122cm (37.843inches) 3.154 Ft
40. The 2015-Apr-21 fly by of 2015 HD1--99.566cm (39.199inches) 3.267 Ft
41. The 2017-Oct-28 fly by of 2017 UL6--100.460cm (39.551inches) 3.296 Ft
42. The 2014-Mar-06 fly by of 2014 EC--104.224cm (41.033inches) 3.419 Ft
43. The 2009-Feb-27 fly by of 2009 EJ1--104.330cm (41.075inches) 3.423 Ft
44. The 2017-Aug-14 fly by of 2017 QP1--106.229cm (41.823inches) 3.485 Ft
45. The 2017-Mar-20 fly by of 2017 FN1--107.355cm (42.266inches) 3.522 Ft
46. The 2012-Mar-26 fly by of 2012 FS35--109.577cm (43.140inches) 3.595 Ft
47. The 2012-Jan-27 fly by of 2012 BX34--111.432cm (43.871inches) 3.656 Ft
48. The 2008-Mar-10 fly by of 2008 EF32--112.584cm (44.324inches) 3.694 Ft
49. The 2009-Oct-01 fly by of 2009 TB--119.071cm (46.878inches) 3.907 Ft
50. The 2007-Oct-17 fly by of 2007 UN12--119.600cm (47.087inches) 3.924 Ft


Light-second. 566.000cm (222.820inches) 18.568 Ft
Lunar distance (perigee)--673.000cm (265.000inches) 22.095 Ft
Lunar distance--714.000cm (281.000inches) 23.414 Ft
Lunar distance (apogee)--766.000cm (302.000inches) 25.128 Ft
Light-minute--34000.000cm (13400.000inches) 1114.101 Ft

Moon Equatorial radius--3.280cm (1.292inches) 0.108 Ft
Moon Equatorial radius Diameter--6.560cm (2.584inches) 0.215 Ft
Moon Equatorial  Circumference--20.600cm (8.117inches) 0.676 Ft

Earth radius--12.000cm (4.735inches) 0.395 Ft
Earth (Equatorial) diameter--24.100cm (9.470inches) 0.789 Ft
Earth (Equatorial) Circumference--75.600cm (29.752inches) 2.479 Ft


See the spreadsheet  The 50 closest observed NEO Earth close approaches as of 2018-05-20.xlsx






Apr 6, 2018

The NEO 2018 BY2 - Information Sheet

The NEO 2018 BY2 on 2018-03-31 from Mayhill, New Mexico
(New Mexico Skies) - (MPC Code H06) a stack of 9 - 20 Second Luminance 
BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T21 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

By Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2018 BY2 on 2018-03-31 from Mayhill, New Mexico
(New Mexico Skies) - (MPC Code H06) a stack of 9 - 20 Second Luminance 
BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T21 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

By Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2018 BY2 on 2018-03-31 from Mayhill, New Mexico
(New Mexico Skies) - (MPC Code H06) a stack of 9 - 20 Second Luminance 
BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T21 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

By Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2018 BY2 on 2018-03-31 from Mayhill, New Mexico
(New Mexico Skies) - (MPC Code H06) a stack of 9 - 20 Second Luminance 
BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T21 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

By Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2018 BY2 on 2018-04-02 from Sierra Remote Observatory,
Auberry, California, USA (MPC U69) a stack of 10 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T24 TEL 0.61-m f/6.5 reflector + CCD) 
By Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2018 BY2 on 2018-04-02 from Sierra Remote Observatory,
Auberry, California, USA (MPC U69) a stack of 10 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 Images 
taken with iTelescope.net's (T24 TEL 0.61-m f/6.5 reflector + CCD) 
By Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2018 BY2 on 2018-04-02 from Sierra Remote Observatory,
Auberry, California, USA (MPC U69) a stack of 10 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 Images 
taken with iTelescope.net's (T24 TEL 0.61-m f/6.5 reflector + CCD) 
By Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2018 BY2 on 2018-04-02 from Sierra Remote Observatory,
Auberry, California, USA (MPC U69) a stack of 10 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 Images 
taken with iTelescope.net's (T24 TEL 0.61-m f/6.5 reflector + CCD) 
By Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2018 BY2 on 2018-04-02 from Sierra Remote Observatory,
Auberry, California, USA (MPC U69) a stack of 10 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 Images 
taken with iTelescope.net's (T24 TEL 0.61-m f/6.5 reflector + CCD) 
By Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2018 BY2 on 2018-04-05 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62) a stack of 20 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2
 Images taken with iTelescope.net's (T27 TEL 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD)
By Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2018 BY2 on 2018-04-05 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62) a stack of 20 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2
 Images taken with iTelescope.net's (T27 TEL 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD)
By Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2018 BY2 on 2018-04-05 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62) a stack of 20 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2
 Images taken with iTelescope.net's (T27 TEL 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD)
By Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2018 BY2 on 2018-04-05 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62) a stack of 20 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2
 Images taken with iTelescope.net's (T27 TEL 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD) By Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2018 BY2 on 2018-04-05 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62) a stack of 20 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2
 Images taken with iTelescope.net's (T27 TEL 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD)
By Steven M. Tilley
 Background
(as of 2018-04-06)
  • Object: 2018 BY2
  • Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO, PHA]
  • Approximate Diameter: 210 m - 470 m ( 688.976  feet to 1541.995  feet) (Absolute Magnitude: H= 20.5)
  • On the Sentry Risk Table: NO
  • On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: NO 
  • First(Precovery) Observation was made: 2018 01 03.45659
  • Discovery observation was made on: 2018 01 17.31782
  • Discovery observation was made by Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala (MPC Code F51) The Discovery M.P.E.C.:MPEC 2018-B85 : 2018 BY2
  • Last Observation (publish): 2018 04 05.42579 (at iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring,  Australia (MPC Code Q62) )
  • Data-Arc Span (publish):  days 92
  • Number of Optical Observations(published):146
  • Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):
    • (246) Klet Observatory-KLENOT, Czech Republic.
    • (474) Mount John Observatory, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. 
    • (568) Mauna Kea, US/Hawaii. 
    • (587) Sormano, Italy. 
    • (691) Steward Observatory, Kitt Peak - Spacewatch, US/Arizona.
    • (703) Catalina Sky Survey, US/Arizona.
    • (711) McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis,US/Texas.
    • (807) Cerro Tololo Observatory, La Serena,  Chile.
    • (A48) Povegliano Veronese, Italy.
    • (B74) Santa Maria de Montmagastrell, Spain.
    • (F51) Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala,US/Hawaii.
    • (H01) Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Socorro, US/New Mexico. 
    • (H06) iTelescope Observatory, Mayhill, US/New Mexico.
    • (H21) Astronomical Research Observatory, Westfield, US/Illinois.
    • (H36) Sandlot Observatory, Scranton, US/Kansas.
    • (H45) Arkansas Sky Obs., Petit Jean Mountain South, US/Arkansas.
    • (I52) Steward Observatory, Mt. Lemmon Station,US/Arizona.
    • (K61) Rokycany Observatory, Czech Republic.
    • (L04) ROASTERR-1 Observatory, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
    • (Q62) iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring, Australia/NSW.
    • (T05) ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala, US/Hawaii.
    • (U69) iTelescope SRO Observatory, Auberry,
    • (W89) Cerro Tololo-LCO Aqawan A #1, Chile.
  • Perihelion Distance 1.014723117954455 (AU)
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.264719569328387 (AU)
  • Earth MOID (Earth center to NEO center): 0.04159 AU ((16.186 LD)), ( 975.57 Earth radii) or 3,866,032.024  miles ( 6,221,775.442 ( KM))
  • Next Close-Approach to Earth:  Will safely pass Earth on 2018-Apr-11:
    • Minimum Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of  0.0609381959952516 (AU) ( 23.715 (LD)), 1429.89 (Earth radii) or  5,664,559.202  miles ( 9,116,224.365(KM)) 
    • Nominal Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of 0.0609437887594874 (AU) ( 23.718 (LD)), (1430.02  Earth radii) or 5,665,079.082 miles ( 9,117,061.03 (KM))
    • Maximum Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of  0.0609493815227982 (AU) ( 23.72 (LD)), (1430.156443 Earth radii) or 5,665,598.962 miles (9,117,897.696 (KM))   

Oct 11, 2017

The Flyby By a "Astronomical Yard" of 2012 TC4


On 2017 October 12, the asteroid 2012 TC4 will flyby the Earth. This flyby has received a great deal of coverage in the media. When comes to media coverage of any asteroid flybys one of the most overused expressions is "close shave." Anyone who ever had to shave for work knows what a close shave is and what one is not. By comparing the solar system to the known universe, Pluto would be a "close shave" astronomically speaking. However, the subject at hand is the flyby of the Earth by an asteroid, therefor the Earth may serve a useful point of comparison.

If one wishes to simplify the matter, one could create a scale model of the Earth by way of a spreadsheet. If, one uses a ball with a diameter of 29.21 cm (11.5 inches) [this happen to be same as the as the length of a football ball(American)] to represent the Earth:

  • A CM would be 436.2204724 KM, an inch would be 1108 KM.
  • The International Space Station would be 9.2 mm away.
  • Geosynchronous orbit would be 820.4 mm, 0.8204 m, or 0.8972 yards
  • 2012 TC4 Nominal Distance(JPL)[2017-Oct-10] would be 1003.6 mm, 1.0036 m, or 1.0976 yards
  • Light-second would be 6872.5 mm, 6.8725 m, or 7.5159 yards
  • Lunar distance would be 8666.1 mm, 8.6661 m, or 9.4773 yards.
It should be noted since the start of The 2012 TC4 Observing Campaign the orbital uncertainty has been dramatically reduced. This many of made much of media coverage in the blogosphere out of date.
Useful Links:

Oct 8, 2017

The Asteroid 2012 TC4 on 2017-10-07

The Asteroid 2012 TC4 on 2017-10-07 from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia (MPC Code Q62) useing  iTelescope.net's (TEL T30 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

Useful Links:

Oct 7, 2017

The Asteroid 2012 TC4 on 2017-10-06

The NEO 2012 TC4 on 2017-10-06 from AstroCamp Observatory. Nerpio, Spain (MPC I89) a stack of 45-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's (TEL T07 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2012 TC4 on 2017-10-06 from AstroCamp Observatory. Nerpio, Spain (MPC I89) a stack of 15-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's (TEL T07 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2012 TC4 on 2017-10-06 from AstroCamp Observatory. Nerpio, Spain (MPC I89) a stack of 15-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's (TEL T07 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley
The NEO 2012 TC4 on 2017-10-06 from AstroCamp Observatory. Nerpio, Spain (MPC I89) a stack of 15-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's (TEL T07 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley
Useful Links: