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:

• NEO Confirmation Page(NEOCP) and Possible Comet Confirmation Page (PCCP)
• The Impact Risk Monitoring lists(See Jon Giorgini's "Understanding Risk Pages"  for more inofmation)
• JPL Sentry
• JPL Scout(NEOCP)
• ESA NEODyS CLOMON2 Risk list
• The Radar Support Lists (Arecibo or Goldstone)
• Near-Earth Object Human Space Flight Accessible Targets Study (NHATS)
• ESA's NEO Coordination Centre (NEOCC) Priority List

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) 

The Asteroid 2015 TB145

 Background

(as of 2015-10-26) 

•  Object: 2015 TB145
• Approximate Diameter:290 m - 650 m (951.4  feet to 2132.5 feet) ( Absolute Magnitude:  H=  19.8)
•  Orbit Type: Apollo [PHA]
• On the Sentry Risk Table: NO (Never has been listed )
• On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: NO
• First Observed was made  on: 2015 10 10.53168
• First Observed  By: Pan-STARRS 1 (MPC Code F51) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2015-T86 : 2015 TB145 For infomation on how discoverer is defined read MPEC 2010-U20 : EDITORIAL NOTICE
•  Last Observed: 2015 10 26.06698
•  Data-Arc Span: 16 days 
•  Number Oppositions :1
•  Number of Observations Made:  332
• Next Close-Approach:  Will safely pass Earth on 2015-Oct-31 at Nominal Distance of 0.00325372898223908 AU (1.266(LD)) or 302,453.004 miles or (486,750.928 KM)
• On the Goldstone Asteroid Schedule: YES Dates:  2015 Oct 30-31( Needs Astrometry: Yes Physical Observations: Yes)
• On the Arecibo Asteroid Schedule:  YES,  Dates:  2015 Oct 30-31 (Request Optical Astrometry: YES , Request Optical  Lightcurve:YES, Request Optical Characterization YES) 

A 120 Second Luminance BIN2 image of the asteroid 2015 TB145 taken on 2015-10-22 from AstroCamp Observatory. Nerpio, Spain - (MPC Code - I89) itelescope.net's (TEL T7 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley

.

The asteroid 2015 TB145 45 x 60 Sec Stacked @ 0.371 "/min P.A. 28.6 MPC Code Q62 using itelescope.net's
(TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD) 2015-10-24 14:12:09 UTC
(c) Steven M. Tilley

The Asteroid 2015 TB145 on 2015-10-24

 Part 1:
40 Second(typo) 40-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with itelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD) at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62) 0n 2015-10-24 from 13:44 to 14:37 UTC
Part 2:
Astrometrica object verification window moving object detection 4-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images Taken with iTelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD) at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62) 0n 2015-10-24 from 13:38 to 14:42 UTC
Part 3
A 45x60 Sec Stacked @ 0.371 "/min P.A. 28.6 MPC Code Q62 on (T27) 2015-10-24 (C) Steven M. Tilley

Other links:

• Near Earth Objects Dynamic Site--2015 TB145
• (MPC) Observations 2015 TB145  
• JPL Orbit Diagram 2015 TB145  
• NEO Earth Close Approaches (JPL)
• The Tracking News 
• NEO Coordination Centre
• ALERT! Bright NEO 2015 TB145 on 29-31 October, 2015
• CometWatch Halloween Asteroid Flyby
• Possible October 31 Meteors From Minor Planet 2015 TB_145 
• NASA Spots the 'Great Pumpkin': Halloween Asteroid a Treat for Radar Astronomers 
• Close-in Asteroid Offers Halloween Treat
• How to See the Spooktacular Halloween Flyby of Asteroid 2015 TB145 

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 

The Asteroid (357439) = 2004 BL86 On 2015-02-03

The NEO (357439) 2004 BL86 (Orbit type: Apollo ) (estimated to be 325  meters in diameter) made a Close-Approach of 3.1 Lunar Distance on 26 January 2015.and was map with Radar Observations.


(Orbit type: Apollo ) [NEO]

38 -- 15 Second Luminance BIN1 Images

from ITelescope.Net

(T11 0.50-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

MPC Code H06 (Mayhill, New Mexico, USA)

2015-02-03 03:04 UTC to 03:29 UTC


(c) Steven M. Tilley
http://lagniappeobserving.blogspot.com/
Useful Links:

• Remanzacco Observatory - Comets & Neo: Close Approach of Asteroid (357439) 2004 BL86
• Updated Charts for Asteroid 2004 BL86 Earth Flyby on Jan 26, 2015 (JPL)
• Asteroid to fly by Earth safely January 26(Astronomy Magazine)
• Asteroid 2004 BL86 to sweep close on January 26(EarthSky)
• Big Asteroid 2004 BL86 Buzzes Earth on January 26: How to See it in Your Telescop(Universe Today)
• Big Asteroid to Zoom by Earth on Jan. 26(space.com)
• Asteroid to Fly By Earth Safely on January 26 (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.; January 13, 2015)
• Observations(MPC)
• Orbital Elements (JPL)
• (357439) 2004BL86 -- ESA Space Situational Awareness
• (357439) 2004BL86 Ephemerides for 25 January 2015 through 29 January(NEODyS-2)
• Goldstone Radar Observations Planning
• Goldstone Asteroid Schedule
• Planetary Radar at Arecibo Observatory
• JPL Absolute Magnitude table (H)
• Abstract for Run 3579(Caltech)
• Goldstone Solar System Radar by Marina Brozović,Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
• Wikipedia (357439) 2004 BL86