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))   

Confirmation of the NEO 2018 FC1

The NEOCP object ZF278E4(now the NEO 2018 FC1) on 2018-03-19
a stack of 20-30 second luminance BIN2 images taken with
 iTelescope.net's (T17 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
 at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia
(MPC code Q62) 
By Steven M. Tilley

The NEOCP object ZF278E4(now the NEO 2018 FC1) on 2018-03-19
a stack of 20-30 second luminance BIN2 images taken with
 iTelescope.net's (T17 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
 at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia
(MPC code Q62) 
By Steven M. Tilley

The NEOCP object ZF278E4(now the NEO 2018 FC1) on 2018-03-19
a stack of 20-30 second luminance BIN2 images taken with
 iTelescope.net's (T17 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
 at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia
(MPC code Q62) 
By Steven M. Tilley

 Background

(as of 2018-02-19)

• Object: 2018 FC1
• Orbit Type: Amor [NEO]
• Approximate Diameter: 120 m - 260 m (393.701 feet to 853.018 feet) (Absolute Magnitude: H= 21.766)
• On the Sentry Risk Table: NO
• On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: NO 
• Discovery observation was made on: 2018 03 17.33572
• Discovery observation was made by Catalina Sky Survey (MPC Code 703) The Discovery M.P.E.C.:MPEC 2018-F40 : 2018 FC1
• Last Observation (publish): 2018 03 19.53148 (at iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring,  Australia (MPC Code Q62) )
• Data-Arc Span (publish): 2 days 
• Number of Optical Observations(published):42
• Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):
• (033) Karl Schwarzschild Observatory, Tautenburg, Germany.
• (474) Mount John Observatory, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.
• (703) Catalina Sky Survey, US/Arizona.
• (734) Farpoint Observatory, Eskridge, US/Kansas.
• (807) Cerro Tololo Observatory, La Serena, Chile.
• (E23) Arcadia, Australia/NSW.
• (I52) Steward Observatory, Mt. Lemmon Station, US/Arizona.
• (Q62) iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring,  Australia/NSW. 
• Perihelion Distance:1.106589693409455(AU)
• Aphelion Distance: 2.130212399099761(AU)
• Earth MOID (Earth center to NEO center): 0.19123 AU (( 74.421 LD)), (4490.28 Earth radii) or  17775939 miles (  (28607600 KM))
• Next Close-Approach to Earth:  Will safely pass Earth on 2018-Mar-30 at a 
• Minimum Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of 0.192881774004264 (AU) (75.064 (LD)), (4,516.07 Earth radii) or  17,878,004 miles ( (28,854,702 KM)) 
• Nominal Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of 0.196815739374881(AU) ( 76.595 (LD)), ( 4,621.44 Earth radii) or 18,295,166 miles (29,443,216 (KM))
• Maximum Distance(Earth center to NEO center) of 0.20074975749401 (AU) ( 78.126 (LD)), ( 4,713.82 Earth radii) or  18,660,856 miles (30,031,736 (KM))   

Confirmation Images of The Asteroid 2018 BT6

A confirmation image of the asteroid 2018 BT6 (a NEO with an estimated diameter of 150 m to 340 m)
 on 2018-01-30 from from Mayhill, New Mexico [New Mexico Skies] - (MPC Code H06)
a Stack of 12 - 5 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken withitelescope.net's
(T11 TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
By Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the asteroid 2018 BT6 (a NEO with an estimated diameter of 150 m to 340 m)
 on 2018-01-30 from from Mayhill, New Mexico [New Mexico Skies] - (MPC Code H06) 
a Stack of 12 - 5 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken withitelescope.net's
(T11 TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
By Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the asteroid 2018 BT6 (a NEO with an estimated diameter of 150 m to 340 m)
 on 2018-01-30 from from Mayhill, New Mexico [New Mexico Skies] - (MPC Code H06) 
a Stack of 12 - 5 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken withitelescope.net's
(T11 TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
By Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the asteroid 2018 BT6 (a NEO with an estimated diameter of 150 m to 340 m)
 on 2018-01-30 from from Mayhill, New Mexico [New Mexico Skies] - (MPC Code H06) 
a Stack of 73 - 5 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken withitelescope.net's
(T11 TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
By Steven M. Tilley

The asteroid 2018 BT6 (a NEO with an estimated diameter of 150 m to 340 m) made a closest approach to Earth at a distance of 0.05 AU or 18 Lunar Distances(7 million km or 4 million miles) at 2018-01-26.91133. 2018. BT6 was discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey at 2018-01-27.40491.

 Background

(as of 2018-01-30)

• Object: 2018 BT6
• Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO PHA]
• Approximate Diameter: 150 m - 340 m (492.126 feet to 1115.49 feet) (Absolute Magnitude: H= 21.2)
• On the Sentry Risk Table: NO
• On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: NO 
• Discovery observation was made on:2018 01 27.4049
• Discovery observation was made by Catalina Sky Survey (MPC Code 703) The Discovery M.P.E.C.:MPEC 2018-B166: 2018 BT6
• Last Observation (publish):2018 01 30.53575 (by Tenagra II (MPC Code 926) )
• Data-Arc Span (publish): 3 days 
• Number of Optical Observations(published):93
• Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):
• (104) San Marcello Pistoiese, Italy. 
• (204) Schiaparelli Observatory, Italy
• (703) Catalina Sky Survey, Arizona,US 
• (926) Tenagra II Observatory, Arizona,US
• (C95) SATINO Remote Observatory, Haute Provence, France. 
• (G48) Harlingten Research Observatory, Rancho Hildalgo, New Mexico, US. 
• (H01) Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Socorro, New Mexico, US.
• (H06) iTelescope Observatory, Mayhill, New Mexico, US.
• (H36) Sandlot Observatory, Scranton, Kansas, US. 
• (I52) Steward Observatory, Mt. Lemmon Station, Arizona, US. 
• (J69) North Observatory, Clanfield, UK 
• (J95) Great Shefford, UK 
• (K63) G. Pascoli Observatory, Castelvecchio Pascoli, Italy. 
• (R57) Aorangi Iti Observatory, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. 
• (W88) Slooh.com Chile Observatory, La Dehesa, Chile. 
• (X31) Galileo Galilei Observatory, Oro Verde, Argentina. 
• (Y00) SONEAR Observatory, Oliveira, Brazil. 
• (Z80) Northolt Branch Observatory, UK
• Perihelion Distance: 0..3877305354221541(AU)
• Aphelion Distance: 4.130577089564944(AU)
• Earth MOID (Earth center to NEO center): AU 0.00153454((0.597 LD)), (36.03 Earth radii) or 142,644.404 miles (229,563.916  (KM))

The Moon Live 2017-11-27

Tonight(2017-11-27)  was bad night my cell phone fell off the telescope then bounce of my second floor balcony...now it stop working.

The Moon Live 2017 11 26

The Moon Live 2017 11 24 Try 2

The Moon Live 2017 11 24

Confirmation Images of the Comet C/2017 T3 on 2017-10-25 &26

Moon On The Night Of 2017 10 30

Moon 2017 10 28

The Moon Live -- Night of 2017-10-26

Weather permitting on Oct 26, 2017 at 7:45PM CDT/8:45PM EDT (Oct 24, 2017 00:45 UTC) see the moon live over the internet from from my apartment in Baton Rouge Louisiana. Using a Sky-Watcher 8" f/5.9 Traditional Dobsonian Telescope, 25mm Plossl Eyepiece, Filters, 2x Barlow Lens, Universal Astronomical Camera Adapter Smartphone Capturer Holder, and a Galaxy J3 6

Moon Live -Night of 2017-10-24

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:

• Fast Rotation of the NEA 2012 TC4 Indicates a Monolithic Structure by  Polishook, D. in The Minor Planet Bulletin (ISSN 1052-8091). Bulletin of the Minor Planets Section of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, Vol. 40, No. 1, p. 42-43 (2013)
• Space Situational Awareness(ESA) -- 2012 TC4
• Near Earth Objects Dynamic Site--2012 TC4
• (MPC) Observations --2012 TC4
• JPL Orbit Diagram --2012 TC4
• Close Approach of Asteroid 2012 TC4(Tuesday, October 9, 2012 Remanzacco Observatory, Italy)
• NEO Earth Close Approaches (JPL) (upcoming)
• 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
• Impact Risk Assessment: An Introduction - Near-Earth Object Program
• Hazardous NEO Technical Reviews
• Frequently Asked Questions For Impact Risk Assessment 
• How to Find an Impact Orbit for the Earth-Asteroid Collision
• The Asteroid/Comet Impact Hazard
• Whom should we call? Data policy for immediate impactors announcements
• NEO Search & Follow-Up
• NEOs' Science pages by Livia Giacomini
• Torino Scale(JPL)
• Find_Orb --- Orbit determination software - Project Pluto
• Guide to Minor Body Astrometry(MPC)
•  Asteroid - Impact Simulator (Impact Earth!) by Purdue University,
• On-line Find_Orb
• 2012 TC4 Planning - JPL radar page
• The 2012 TC4 Observing Campaign  
• Asteroid Flyby to Help NASA Observation
• Astronomical units to Earth radius (AU to RE) 
• The 2012 TC4 Observing Campaign (University of Maryland) 
• The Asteroid 2012 TC4 is Making a Safe Close-Approach on October-12-2017 Please Stand By For a Media Storm

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:

• Will asteroid 2012 TC4 hit Earth in October 2017?
• Fast Rotation of the NEA 2012 TC4 Indicates a Monolithic Structure by  Polishook, D. in The Minor Planet Bulletin (ISSN 1052-8091). Bulletin of the Minor Planets Section of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers, Vol. 40, No. 1, p. 42-43 (2013)
• Space Situational Awareness(ESA) -- 2012 TC4
• Near Earth Objects Dynamic Site--2012 TC4
• (MPC) Observations --2012 TC4
• JPL Orbit Diagram --2012 TC4
• Close Approach of Asteroid 2012 TC4(Tuesday, October 9, 2012 Remanzacco Observatory, Italy)
• NEO Earth Close Approaches (JPL) (upcoming)
• 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
• Impact Risk Assessment: An Introduction - Near-Earth Object Program
• Hazardous NEO Technical Reviews
• Frequently Asked Questions For Impact Risk Assessment 
• How to Find an Impact Orbit for the Earth-Asteroid Collision
• The Asteroid/Comet Impact Hazard
• Whom should we call? Data policy for immediate impactors announcements
• NEO Search & Follow-Up
• NEOs' Science pages by Livia Giacomini
• Torino Scale(JPL)
• Find_Orb --- Orbit determination software - Project Pluto
• Guide to Minor Body Astrometry(MPC)
•  Asteroid - Impact Simulator (Impact Earth!) by Purdue University,
• On-line Find_Orb
• 2012 TC4 Planning - JPL radar page
• The 2012 TC4 Observing Campaign  
• Asteroid Flyby to Help NASA Observation
• Astronomical units to Earth radius (AU to RE) 
• The 2012 TC4 Observing Campaign (University of Maryland) 
• The Asteroid 2012 TC4 is Making a Safe Close-Approach on October-12-2017 Please Stand By For a Media Storm