Lagniappe Observing

Jul 21, 2017

There has been a request for spectra for on (457175) 2008 GO98

There has been a request for spectra for on (457175) 2008 GO98 on twitter I have been ask to try to get the world out

Calling all observers! Has anyone taken spectra on (457175) 2008 GO98? Will be very useful to solve the mystery of what is going on with it!
— Asteroid Analytics (@asteroidanalyst) July 21, 2017

Also see:

Jun 19, 2017

Confirmation Images of The NEO 2017 MC

A confirmation images of the NEO 2017 MC on 2017-06-18
from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06),
a stack of 5-30 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with itelescope.net's
(TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation images of the NEO 2017 MC on 2017-06-18
from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06),
a stack of 50-30 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with itelescope.net's
(TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation images of the NEO 2017 MC on 2017-06-18
from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia (MPC Code Q62),
a stack of 20-30 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with itelescope.net's
(TEL T31 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation images of the NEO 2017 MC on 2017-06-18
from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia (MPC Code Q62),
a stack of 60-30 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with itelescope.net's
(TEL T31 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M. Tilley

Background

(as of 2017-06-18)

Object: 2017 MC
Approximate Diameter: 150 m - 380 m ( 492.126 feet to feet 1246.72)(Absolute Magnitude: H= 21.021)
Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO] Potentially Hazardous Asteroid
On the Sentry Risk Table: NO
On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: NO
Discovery (First) observation was made: 2017 06 16.53663
Discovery (First )observation was made by: ATLAS-MLO(Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System)(MPC Code T08) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2017-M15 : 2017 MC
Last Observation(publish) was made: 2017 06 18.64005 (by iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring (MPC Code Q62 )
Data-Arc Span(publish) : 2 days
Number of Optical Observations(published) : 76
Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):

(104) San Marcello Pistoiese, Italy.
(160) Castelmartini, Italy.
(204) Schiaparelli Observatory, Italy.
(595) Farra d'Isonzo, Italy.
(926) Tenagra II Observatory, Nogales, US/Arizona.
(B49) Paus Observatory, Sabadell, Spain.
(B74) Santa Maria de Montmagastrell, Spain.
(C23) Olmen,Belgium.
(H06) iTelescope Observatory, Mayhill, US/New Mexico.
(I93) St Pardon de Conques (N44.558708 W0.203000) France.
(J69) North Observatory, Clanfield (N50.939011 W1.019700) UK.
(J95) Great Shefford,UK.
(K38) M57 Observatory, Saltrio, Italy.
(K63) G. Pascoli Observatory, Castelvecchio Pascoli, Italy.
(K88) GINOP-KHK, Piszkesteto, Hungary.
(Q62) iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring, Australia/NSW.
(T08) ATLAS-MLO, Mauna Loa,US/Hawaii.
(W25) RMS Observatory, Cincinnati,US/Ohio.
(W34) Squirrel Valley Observatory, Columbus, US/North Carolina.
(Y00) SONEAR Observatory, Oliveira, Brazil.

Jun 1, 2017

A confirmation image of COMET C/2017 K4 (ATLAS) on 2017-05-29

A confirmation image of COMET C/2017 K4 (ATLAS) on 2017-05-29 a stack of 17-60 Second Luminance BIN1 images taken with iTelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD) at Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia (MPC Code Q62). (c) Steven M. Tilley
See MPEC 2017-L04 : COMET C/2017 K4 (ATLAS) http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K17/K17L04.html

May 23, 2017

Comet C/2015 V2 (JOHNSON) Look at You NOW.....

One of the cool things about observing comets and asteroids is one gets see how a comet's coma and tail develops as they approach perihelion. when Comet C/2015 V2 (JOHNSON) was on The Possible Comet Confirmation Page(PCCP) it was just small faint spot on CCD image now it is around magnitude 8 in range of a backyard telescope or nice set of binoculars.

An image of the Comet C/2015 V2 (JOHNSON) on 2017-05-23
from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06),
a stack of 30-60 Second Luminance BIN1 Images taken with itelescope.net's
(TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M. Tilley

An image of the Comet C/2015 V2 (JOHNSON) on 2017-01-26
from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06),
a stack of 50-60 Second Luminance BIN1 Images taken with itelescope.net's
(TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M. Tilley

Images from 2015-11-04

Confirmation image of Comet C/2015 V2 (JOHNSON) on 2015-11-04 05:18:08 (UTC)
4 x 60 Sec Stacked @ 0.292 "/min P.A. 13.7 MPC Code H06 using itelescope.net's
(TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer) (c) Steven M. Tilley

Confirmation image of Comet C/2015 V2 (JOHNSON) on 2015-11-04 05:23:13 (UTC)
4 x 60 Sec Stacked @ 0.292 "/min P.A. 13.7 MPC Code H06 using itelescope.net's
(TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)(c) Steven M. Tilley

Confirmation image of Comet C/2015 V2 (JOHNSON) on 2015-11-04 07:00:27 (UTC)
4 x 60 Sec Stacked @ 0.292 "/min P.A. 13.1 MPC Code H06 using itelescope.net's
(TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)(c) Steven M. Tilley

Confirmation image of Comet C/2015 V2 (JOHNSON) on 2015-11-04 07:08:00 (UTC)
4 x 60 Sec Stacked @ 0.292"/min P.A. 13.1 MPC Code H06 using itelescope.net's
(TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)(c) Steven M. Tilley

Feb 4, 2017

Eliminating Virtual Asteroids and Virtual Impactors for 2017 BL30

Astrometrica object verification window-- the NEO 2017 BL30

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

a stack of 6 - 60-second luminance BIN2 images taken with iTelescope.net's

(TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD)

NOTE with only a five days data-arc span there is "little" known about the NEO 2017 BL30, and the information in this post may become outdated. So one should always check the links for updates. Whenever an object is listed on one the risk lists (especially if it has a Torino Scale 1 or greater) and it is observable, observers will take a particular interest in it. In the coming days, it is possible there will be more follow-up observations and a search in archives for precovery observations. It is MOST likely this object will be removed from the risk lists. It could take observations over one or more orbital periods before we can reliably say where it will be from 2029 to 2088

Why observe asteroids?

One of the purposes of observing an asteroid is to reduce the orbital uncertainty of the asteroid. Each observations records were in the sky the asteroid was seen from the given location at the given time. Given that an asteroid's orbit and position within its orbital path determines where in the sky the asteroid can be seen from a location at a given time, many observations over an extended period of time can significantly reduce the orbital uncertainty.

Each asteroid will be found somewhere within its uncertainty region. If the asteroid as a well-known orbit the uncertainty region will be tiny however if the asteroid as a poorly known orbit the uncertainty region will be enormous and may wrap around the solar system more than once. The question is will the "uncertainty region" of the asteroid and the Earth collide, and if so what is the percentage of the uncertainty region will be taken up by the Earth. The greater the percentage, the greater the risk of impact. As more observations come in the size of the uncertainty region will get smaller this may increase the proportion of the uncertainty region that will be taken up by the Earth. Therefore the "risk" may increase before dropping to zero.

To this end observers from around the world painstakingly take observations of asteroids on the risk lists. Each set of observations eliminates many possibilities(virtual asteroids) where the asteroid may be in the future. Most likely after more observations come all the virtual impactors will be eliminated and 2017 BL30 will be removed from the risk lists.

Background

(as of 2017-02-03)

NOTE 99.93500000% chance 2017 BL30 will miss the Earth(i.e. NOT worry about it)

Object: 2017 BL30
Approximate Diameter: 56 m - 130 m ( 183.727 feet to feet 426.509)(Absolute Magnitude: H= 23.384)
Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO]- ~~Potentially Hazardous Asteroid~~
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 information read Understanding Risk Pages by Jon Giorgini

Torino Scale(JPL): 1

"A routine discovery in which a pass near the Earth is predicted that poses no unusual level of danger. Current calculations show the chance of collision is extremely unlikely with no cause for public attention or public concern. New telescopic observations very likely will lead to re-assignment to Level 0."

On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: yes
Torino Scale(NEODyS CLOMON2): 1
Discovery (First) observation was made: 2017 01 28.37792
Discovery (First )observation was made by: Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala (MPC Code F51 ) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2017-B125: 2017 BL30
Last Observation(publish) was made: 2017 02 02.61107 (by iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring (MPC Code Q62 )
Data-Arc Span(publish) : 5 days
Number of Optical Observations(published) : 60
Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):

(246) Klet Observatory-KLENOT. Czech Republic.
(595) Farra d'Isonzo, Italy.
(691) Steward Observatory, Kitt Peak - Spacewatch, US/Arizona.
(F51) Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala, US/Hawaii.
(H06) RAS Observatory, Mayhill, US/New Mexico.
(I52) Steward Observatory, Mt. Lemmon Station, US/Arizona.
(K88) GINOP-KHK, Piszkéstető, Hungary.
(Q62) iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring, Australia/NSW.
(T12) Mauna Kea-UH/Tholen NEO Follow-Up (2.24-m), US/Hawaii.
(U69) iTelescope SRO Observatory, Auberry, US/California.

Perihelion Distance: 0.862683125221094 (AU)
Aphelion Distance: 1.404699667514954 (AU)
Earth MOID: 9.67363E-5 AU ( 0.038 (LD)) or 8,992.201 miles (14,471.544 (KM))-- to put things in perspective "If" the Earth Was the Size of a Basketball this would be 10.65(27.06 CM)
Next Close-Approach to Earth: Will safely pass Earth on 2017-Mar-09 at a Nominal Distance of 0.0629444338149308 (AU) (24.496 (LD)) or 9,416,353.271 5,851,050.658 miles (9,416,353.271 KM)) -- to put things in perspective "If" the Earth Was the Size of a Basketball this would be 577.63 feet(176.06)

Useful Links:

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:

Jan 28, 2017

The Comet C/2015 V2 (JOHNSON) Then and Now

Images from 2017-01-26

An image of the Comet C/2015 V2 (JOHNSON) on 2017-01-26
from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06),
a stack of 4-60 Second Luminance BIN1 Images taken with itelescope.net's
(TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M. Tilley

Translate

Jul 21, 2017

Jun 19, 2017

Jun 1, 2017

May 23, 2017

Feb 4, 2017

Jan 30, 2017

The Discovery

Follow-up After Discovery

2016 WF9 Comes to the Attention of the General Public

Jan 28, 2017

Images from 2017-01-26

Images from 2015-11-04