Follow-up Observations of 2018 RQ1

The NEO(Aten) 2018 RQ1 (approximate diameters 39 m - 88 m [127.953 foot - 288.7139 foot]) was first observed by the Catalina Sky Survey on 2018-09-07.  As of 2018-09-09 2018 RQ1 as a data-arc span of 31.5 hr with 22 published observations. 2018 RQ1 is listed on the NASA/JPL Sentry and NEODyS CLOMON2 risk pages.(as of 2018-09-09) In an  effort to help with the improvement  of the known orbit I had iTelescope.net's(T30) start taking images and was able to obtain 22-30 Second Luminance BIN2. I use Astrometrica to do the data reduction by way of the stack and track method. I had Astrometrica stack 3 sets(stacks) of  7 images.  Each image was shifted match the movement of  2018 RQ1.

An image of the NEO 2018 RQ1
on 2018-09-09 from
Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 22-30 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T30)
by Steven M. Tilley

An image of the NEO 2018 RQ1
on 2018-09-09 from
Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 7-30 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T30)
by Steven M. Tilley

An image of the NEO 2018 RQ1
on 2018-09-09 from
Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 7-30 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T30)
by Steven M. Tilley

An image of the NEO 2018 RQ1
on 2018-09-09 from
Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 7-30 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T30)
by Steven M. Tilley

see
Accessible NEA(Object/Trajectory Details for 2018 RQ1)

Confirmation images of the NEO 2018 RQ1

The NEO(Aten) 2018 RQ1 (approximate diameters 39 m - 88 m [127.953 foot - 288.7139 foot]) was first observed by the Catalina Sky Survey on 2018-09-07. It was posted to the NEO Confirmation Page(NEOCP) under the observer-assigned temporary designations "ZR388AE"  In an  effort to help in the confirmation I obtain 60-30 Second Luminance BIN2 taken using  iTelescope.net's(T31).

Orbit diagram for 2018 RQ1
Earth Distance: 0.031 au
Sun Distance: 1.025 au
2018-09-08 16:25 UTC
courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2018RQ1

Orbit diagram for 2018 RQ1
Earth Distance: 0.031 au
Sun Distance: 1.025 au
2018-09-08 16:25 UTC
courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2018RQ1

Orbit diagram for 2018 RQ1
Earth Distance: 0.031 au
Sun Distance: 1.025 au
2018-09-08 16:25 UTC
courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2018RQ1

I use Astrometrica to do the data reduction by way of the stack and track method. I had Astrometrica stack 3 sets(stacks) of  20 images.  Each image was shifted match movement of  2018 RQ1(ZR388AE).

A confirmation image of the NEO 2018 RQ1(ZR388AE)
on 2018-09-08 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 20-30 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T31)
by Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the NEO 2018 RQ1(ZR388AE)
on 2018-09-08 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 20-30 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T31)
by Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the NEO 2018 RQ1(ZR388AE)
on 2018-09-08 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 20-30 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T31)
by Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the NEO 2018 RQ1(ZR388AE)
on 2018-09-08 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 60-30 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T31)
by Steven M. Tilley

I submitted my observations to the  Minor Planet Center(MPC). On 2018 Sept. 8 at 21:42 UTC the MPC Issued MPEC 2018-R63 : 2018 RQ1  assigning the objet the provisonaldesignation 2018 RQ1.

How Are Minor Planets Named?

Helping With The Confirmation of the Mars-crossing Asteroid 2018 PO23

On 2018-08-13 I check the NEO Confirmation Page(NEOCP) and  an object clalled ZTF00Th.

Orbit diagram for 2018 PO23
(view 1)
2018-08-13 12:35 UTC
Earth Distance: 0.723 au
Sun Distance: 1.691 au
courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2018PO23

Orbit diagram for 2018 PO23
(view 2)
2018-08-13 12:35 UTC
Earth Distance: 0.723 au
Sun Distance: 1.691 au
courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2018PO23

Orbit diagram for 2018 PO23
(view 3)
2018-08-13 12:35 UTC
Earth Distance: 0.723 au
Sun Distance: 1.691 au
courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2018PO23

I was able to obtain a  set of  4-60 second luminance BIN2 images taken with iTelescope.net's (T30) and a set 12-60 second luminance BIN2 images taken with iTelescope.net's (T30). I use Astrometrica to do the data reduction by way of the stack and track method. I had Astrometrica stack 3 sets(stacks) of 3 images.  Each image was shifted match movement of ZTF00Th.

A confirmation image of the Mars-crossing Asteroid 2018 PO23
on 2018-08-13 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 4-60 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T30)
Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the Mars-crossing Asteroid 2018 PO23
on 2018-08-13 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 4-60 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T30)
By Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the Mars-crossing Asteroid 2018 PO23
on 2018-08-13 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 4-60 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T30)
Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the Mars-crossing Asteroid 2018 PO23
on 2018-08-13 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 4-60 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T30)
By Steven M. Tilley

Then I  submitted this batch of  4 observation to the Minor Planet Center.
About 14 hours later I  obtain a  set of  60-60 second luminance BIN2 images taken with iTelescope.net's(T11) I had Astrometrica stack 3 stacks of 15 images ( note a star keep me from having  4 stacks of 15 images)
 

A confirmation image of the Mars-crossing Asteroid 2018 PO23
on 2018-08-14 from from Mayhill,
New Mexico [New Mexico Skies](MPC Code H06)
 a stack of 15-60 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T11)
By Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the Mars-crossing Asteroid 2018 PO23
on 2018-08-14 from from Mayhill,
New Mexico [New Mexico Skies](MPC Code H06)
 a stack of 15-60 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T11)
By Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the Mars-crossing Asteroid 2018 PO23
on 2018-08-14 from from Mayhill,
New Mexico [New Mexico Skies](MPC Code H06)
 a stack of 15-60 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T11)
By Steven M. Tilley

Then I  submitted this batch of  3 observation to the Minor Planet Center.
After another ten  hours I  obtain a  set of  60-60 second luminance BIN2 images taken with iTelescope.net's(T17) I had Astrometrica stack 3 stacks of 15 images ( note the first 9 images where on the "wrong" side of the meridian flip)

 A confirmation image of the Mars-crossing Asteroid 2018 PO23
on 2018-08-14 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 15-60 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T17)
By Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the Mars-crossing Asteroid 2018 PO23
on 2018-08-14 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 15-60 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T17)
By Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the Mars-crossing Asteroid 2018 PO23
on 2018-08-14 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 15-60 second luminance BIN2 images
taken with iTelescope.net's (T17)
By Steven M. Tilley

Then I  submitted this batch of 3  observation to the Minor Planet Center.

After 110 observations,  collectively made from 27 observatories from around the world, at Aug. 16.90, 2018 the Minor Planet Center gave  ZTF00Th. the provisional designation 2018 PO23 and removed it form the NEOCP.

The Comet 46P/Wirtanen on 2018-08-16

..

The Comet 46P/Wirtanen on 2018-08-16
from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 15 - 60 second luminance BIN2
images taken with iTelescope.net's (T17)
By Steven M. Tilley

The Comet 46P/Wirtanen on 2018-08-16
from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 15 - 60 second luminance BIN2
images taken with iTelescope.net's (T17)
By Steven M. Tilley

The Comet 46P/Wirtanen on 2018-08-16
from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 15 - 60 second luminance BIN2
images taken with iTelescope.net's (T17)
By Steven M. Tilley

The Comet 46P/Wirtanen on 2018-08-16
from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 45 - 60 second luminance BIN2
images taken with iTelescope.net's (T17)
By Steven M. Tilley

The Comet 46P/Wirtanen on 2018-08-16
from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack(Average) of 45 - 60 second luminance BIN2
images taken with iTelescope.net's (T17)
By Steven M. Tilley

The Comet 46P/Wirtanen on 2018-08-16
from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack(Median) of 45 - 60 second luminance BIN2
images taken with iTelescope.net's (T17)
By Steven M. Tilley

Orbit diagram for Comet 46P/Wirtanen
2018-08-16 15:40 UTC
courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?ID=c00046_0

Orbit diagram for Comet 46P/Wirtanen
2018-12-16 13:00 UTC
courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?ID=c00046_0

..
..

The of Confirmation of the Asteroid the 2018 PL9

On 2018-08-07 at ~ 10:30 UTC  observers with ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-Impact Last Alert System) imaged a "new" asteroid.  Over the next  ~ 35 minutes, the  ATLAS term would take three additional observations.  The observations were submitted to the Minor Planet Center(MPC) in Cambridge, Massachusetts using the observer-assigned temporary designation A107TVP.  This  "new" asteroid was posted to the NEO Confirmation Page(NEOCP) informing observers around the world that "A107TVP" needed confirmation observations.  

  

Asteroid Orbit diagram for 2018 PL9 [NEO(Amor)]
Approximate Diameter 350 to 900 Meters
2018-08-07 10:30 UTC  
courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltec
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2018PL9

Asteroid Orbit diagram for 2018 PL9 [NEO(Amor)]
Approximate Diameter 350 to 900 Meters
2018-08-07 10:30 UTC  
courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltec
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2018PL9

About five hours later I checked the NEOCP saw A107TVP listed(by this time it had "precovery" observations from Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala.), and decided to take confirmation images. I had iTelescope.Net's T30 to started taking 60 second luminance BIN2 images and was able to obtain 28 images. I use Astrometrica to do the data reduction by way of the stack and track method. I had Astrometrica stack 3 sets(stacks) of 9 images.  Each image was shifted match movement of A107TVP.

A confirmation image of the NEOCP(NEO Confirmation Page)

object A107TVP(now 2018 PL9) on 2018-08-07

 from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62) 

a stack of 9 - 60 second luminance BIN2 images 

 taken with iTelescope.net's (T30) 

 By Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the NEOCP(NEO Confirmation Page)

object A107TVP(now 2018 PL9) on 2018-08-07

 from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62) 

a stack of 9 - 60 second luminance BIN2 images 

 taken with iTelescope.net's (T30) 

 By Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the NEOCP(NEO Confirmation Page)

object A107TVP(now 2018 PL9) on 2018-08-07

 from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62) 

a stack of 9 - 60 second luminance BIN2 images 

 taken with iTelescope.net's (T30) 

 By Steven M. Tilley

I submitted three observations of A107TVP to the MPC in the "new" "Astrometry Data Exchange Standard (ADES)" format [PSV -"Pipe Separated Values"] at 2018-08-07T18:00:23.907Z. I got the  automatic acknowledgement e-mail at  18:03 (UTC) and an "Automated NEOCP candidate posting results" e-mail at 18:11 (UTC).

On 2018-08-08 I took  and submitted  three additional observations.

A confirmation image of the NEOCP(NEO Confirmation Page)

object A107TVP(now 2018 PL9) on 2018-08-08

 from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62) 

a stack of 10 - 60 second luminance BIN2 images 

 taken with iTelescope.net's (T30) 

 By Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the NEOCP(NEO Confirmation Page)

object A107TVP(now 2018 PL9) on 2018-08-08

 from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62) 

a stack of 10 - 60 second luminance BIN2 images 

 taken with iTelescope.net's (T30) 

 By Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the NEOCP(NEO Confirmation Page)

object A107TVP(now 2018 PL9) on 2018-08-08

 from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62) 

a stack of 10 - 60 second luminance BIN2 images 

 taken with iTelescope.net's (T30) 

 By Steven M. Tilley

Over three days the following observatories  submitted observations of A107TVP:

• (711) McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis, Texas,US
• (850) Cordell-Lorenz Observatory, Sewanee, Tennessee, US 
• (E23) Arcadia,NSW, Australia.
• (F51) Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala, Hawaii, US   
• (J04) ESA Optical Ground Station, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
• (L01) Višnjan Observatory, Tican, Croatia. 
• (P93) Space Tracking and Communications Center, JAXA, Japan.
• (Q62) iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring,NSW, Australia. 
• (T05) ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala, Hawaii,US.
• (X31) Galileo Galilei Observatory, Oro Verde, Argentina.
• (X74) Observatório Campo dos Amarais, Brazil.

On 2018-08-10 at 15:24 UTC the MPC Issued "MPEC 2018-P46 : 2018 PL9" assigning the provisonal designations "2018 PL9" to the "new" asteroid.

The Asteroid 2018 KE3 [NEO(Amor)] on 2018-08-04

The Asteroid 2018 KE3 is an Amor (a Near-Earth asteroids whose orbits approach but does NOT cross Earth's orbit) with an estimated diameter of  400 M to 900 M(1312.34 Foot to 2952.76 Foot)  its MOID (Minimum orbit intersection distance) is 0.213016 AU(82.9 Lunar Distance (LD))

On 2018-08-04 I was able to obtain 40-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on itelescope.net's (T17 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD).

The Asteroid 2018 KE3 [NEO(Amor)]
on 2018-08-04 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW,  Australia. (MPC Q62)
 a stack of 40-60 second  luminance BIN2
images taken with iTelescope.net's (T17 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
[tracking  on stars]
By Steven M. Tilley

The Asteroid 2018 KE3 [NEO(Amor)]
on 2018-08-04 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW,  Australia. (MPC Q62)
 a stack of 40-60 second  luminance BIN2
images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T17 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
[tracking  on stars]
By Steven M. Tilley

The Asteroid 2018 KE3 [NEO(Amor)]
on 2018-08-04 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW,  Australia. (MPC Q62)
 a stack of 40-60 second  luminance BIN2
images taken with  iTelescope.net's
 (T17 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
 [tracking  on asteroid]
By Steven M. Tilley

Asteroid Orbit diagram
for 2018 KE3 [NEO(Amor)]
courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2018KE3

I use Astrometrica to do the data reduction by way of the stack and track method. I had Astrometrica stack 4 sets(stacks) of ten images. Each image was shifted match movement of 2018 KE3.

The Asteroid  2018 KE3 [NEO(Amor)]
on 2018-08-04 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW,   Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 10-60 second luminance BIN2
images taken with iTelescope.net's (T17 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
[tracking  on asteroid]
By Steven M. Tilley

The Asteroid  2018 KE3 [NEO(Amor)]
on 2018-08-04 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW,   Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 10-60 second luminance BIN2
images taken with iTelescope.net's (T17 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
[tracking  on asteroid]
By Steven M. Tilley

The Asteroid  2018 KE3 [NEO(Amor)]
on 2018-08-04 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW,   Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 10-60 second luminance BIN2
images taken with iTelescope.net's (T17 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
[tracking  on asteroid]
By Steven M. Tilley

The Asteroid  2018 KE3 [NEO(Amor)]
on 2018-08-04 from Siding Spring Observatory,
Coonabarabran, NSW,   Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 10-60 second luminance BIN2
images taken with iTelescope.net's (T17 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
[tracking  on asteroid]
By Steven M. Tilley

I submitted four observations of  2018 KE3 to the The Minor Planet Center(MPC) in  the "new" "Astrometry Data Exchange Standard (ADES)"  format [PSV -"Pipe Separated Values"]

On 2018-08-05 the MPC published "MPEC 2018-P10 : DAILY ORBIT UPDATE (2018 AUG. 5 UT)"  containing my 2018-08-04 observations. of  2018 KE3.

As more observations are made(over time) of  any given asteroid.---more accurate orbital elements can be computed (with lower uncertainties).  Here a test with  Find_Orb showing "small" improvement to the orbital elements for 2018 KE3 (before and after my 2018-08-04 2018-08-04 observations).

Find_Orb orbital elements for 2018 KE3 before my 2018-08-04 observations.
    Perihelion 2018 Aug 16.166920 +/- 0.000226 TT =  4:00:21 (JD 2458346.666920)
Epoch 2018 Mar 23.0 TT = JDT 2458200.5   Earth MOID: 0.2133   Find_Orb

M 323.12920834 +/- 0.0012           (J2000 ecliptic)
n   0.25225127241 +/- 8.32e-6       Peri.    3.43615306 +/- 0.00026
a   2.48073556073 +/- 5.45e-5       Node   321.10306305 +/- 0.00008
e   0.5058787539 +/- 9.59e-6        Incl.   10.22121421 +/- 0.00009
P   3.91                   H 19.2   G  0.15   U  4.9  
q 1.22578414642 +/- 3.25e-6    Q 3.73568697504 +/- 0.000106
From 83 observations 2018 May 25-Aug. 3; mean residual 0".26

Find_Orb orbital elements for 2018 KE3 after my 2018-08-04 observations.
   Perihelion 2018 Aug 16.167005 +/- 0.00021 TT =  4:00:29 (JD 2458346.667005)
Epoch 2018 Mar 23.0 TT = JDT 2458200.5   Earth MOID: 0.2133   Find_Orb
M 323.12863383 +/- 0.0011           (J2000 ecliptic)
n   0.25225505676 +/- 7.77e-6       Peri.    3.43628389 +/- 0.00023
a   2.48071074989 +/- 5.09e-5       Node   321.10299979 +/- 0.00007
e   0.5058744699 +/- 8.96e-6        Incl.   10.22118040 +/- 0.00009
P   3.91                   H 19.2   G  0.15   U  4.8
q 1.22578251419 +/- 3.02e-6    Q 3.73563898558 +/- 9.89e-5
From 87 observations 2018 May 25-Aug. 4; mean residual 0".26

If one would  to keep their eye JPL Small-Body Databas day afer day they see this 
"improvement" of  orbital elements and  lower uncertainties as well.

Screenshot of  JPL's Orbital Elements for 2018 KE3 before my 2018-08-04 observations. 
 Courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2018KE3

Screenshot of  JPL's Orbital Elements for 2018 KE3 after my 2018-08-04 observations. 
Courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2018KE3