Lagniappe Observing

Jan 11, 2016

The NEO 2015 YC2 on 2016-01-10

Background

(as of 2016-01-11)

Object: 2015 YC2
Approximate Diameter: 56 m - 120 m (183.727 feet to 393.701 feet) ( Absolute Magnitude: H= 23.4 )
Orbit Type: Apollo
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 infomation read Understanding Risk Pages by Jon Giorgini
On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: ~~Yes~~
First Observed on: 2015 12 19.27013
First Observed By: Mt. Lemmon Survey (MPC Code G96) , (The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2015-Y67 : 2015 YC2)
Last Observed: 2016 01 11.36839
Data-Arc Span: 23 day
Number Oppositions : 1
Number of Observations Made: 90
Next Close-Approach: Will safely pass Earth on 2016-Jan-15 at Nominal Distance of 0.0126600709130298 AU (4.93 (LD)) or1,176,827.112 miles or (1,893,919.651 KM)

(1 of 3) Stacks of 8 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken with itelescope.net's (TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

(2 of 3) Stacks of 8 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken with itelescope.net's (TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

(3 of 3) Stacks of 8 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken with itelescope.net's (TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

(1 of 3) Stacks of 15 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken with Using itelescope.net's (TEL T21 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

(2 of 3) Stacks of 15 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken with Using itelescope.net's (TEL T21 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

(3 of 3) Stacks of 15 - 15 Second Luminance BIN2 images taken with Using itelescope.net's (TEL T21 0.43-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)

Jan 1, 2016

2015 YU9 --- The Asteroid Formerly Known As 2015 YB

The asteroid that was confirmed as a NEO, set to make a close approach of less than 0.2 lunar distances to Earth, which was given the provisional designations 2015 YB only to have its confirmation retracted, as been confirmed as a Hungaria asteroid (a type of Inner Main-belt object) and given the provisional designations 2015 YU9. The story of the close approach has echo across social media. However, the story that was missed by many is a story how science works.

First Background on observing asteroid (and comet).

In the world of asteroid (and comet) observing a series of images of the sky is taken over period of time with telescope and CCD. Then data reduction is done on the images looking for moving object. The observer makes two or more observation for each moving object. All “known” objects have a designation, if the observer knows the object’s designation the observation are made under their designation. If it is an unknown object or in doubt an observer-assigned temporary designation is use. The Minor Planet Center’s computers check any observer-assigned temporary designation to see they are “known” objects, if any are unknown and “their NEO score is 65” are posted to “The NEOConfirmation Page”(NEOCP) .

Many observers watch the NEOCP and do follow-up observation on listed objects. As more observational data comes in better orbital elements can be generated, the "unknown" object maybe shown to be a "known" object or shown to be "new" object. When there is there is enough observation to generate useful orbital elements the object is assigned a provisional designation by the Minor Planet Center, if the object is a NEO, a comet, or unusual a Minor Planet Electronic Circulars will be issue. It is possible over time with additional observational data two or more provisional designations maybe link showing there are the same object. After four well observed oppositions for main-belt (two to three for NEOs) asteroids are number (their permanent designation).

The great thing about asteroid and comet observing is your work is a cross check and will be cross check by the work other observers. A scary about asteroid and comet observing is your work is a cross check and will the work is cross check by other observers. Therefore asteroid and comet observing requires healthy sense of pride in one work tempered by healthy sense humility. As an observer I enjoy seeing additional observations of objects I follow and dread not seeing any additional observations of objects I followed.

A case of dread is in 2015 I reported observation using the observer-assigned temporary designation SMT000I (from H06) they where link to observations of a NEOCP object from G45 and assigned the provisional designations 2015TJ237 (Orbit type: Mars-crosser) I have been unable observe 2015 TJ237 and no one has observed 2015 TJ237 since my observations. I think the observations of 2015 TJ237 from G45 should belong to (440043) 2002 QF24 (Orbit type: Mars-crosser). When all is said and done observing is done by (or at the direction) of humans and can be subject to errors and other observers can catch the errors.

Now Back to 2015 YB

2015 YB was not an ordinary asteroid, it was to make a close approach of less than 0.2 lunar distances to Earth so many observers where looking for it where it "should" be and did not find it so the errors where found and the confirmation was retracted. The object was then returned to the NEOCP under its observer-assigned temporary designations. I have looked the object when it was 2015 YB so had to find it. I was able to image the object make observations and report the observations. Other observers also report the observations of the object. On 2015-12-31 the Minor Planet Center made a notation on a cross-reference page stating the object was assigned the provisional designations 2015 YU9 when MPEC 2015-Y95: DAILY ORBIT UPDATE (2015 DEC. 31 UT) was issue it list its orbit (Orbit type: Hungaria)

The NEOCP object WY032FF= 2015 YU9 (Inner Main-belt Asteroid) from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)a Stack of 5 - 120 Second Luminance BIN2 images Using itelescope.net's (TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 CDK astrograph + CCD) By Steven M Tilley

Dec 20, 2015

Where Have Gone you 2015 YB...I am where I should be the inner main-belt

There has been much talk on social media about a bus-size asteroid designate "2015 YB". What made 2015 YB newsworthy was that "know" astrometry(observational data) when use for orbital calculation generated orbital elements (if valid) predicted a close approach of less than 0.2 lunar distances to Earth. However some of the observational data was erroneous. When other observers from around the try to do followup observation they could not find 2015 YB and starred asking why it was not where it would be if its orbital elements where if valid. So the bad observations where withdrawn, pre-discovery observations located and the designation 2015 YB was retracted the object was returnd to the NEOCP under its observer-assigned temporary designations. With the additional observations orbital elements could be generated that show that it has a Hungaria-type orbit so it is not a NEO. On 2015-12-19 using the new orbital elements I was able to image a object make observations and report the observations. Note objects on the NEOCP are "preliminary until they appear on an MPEC or MPS" when the new designation appears on an MPEC or MPS I will publish my images.

However the designation was retracted on Friday night (of weekend near Christmas) and the close approach would have been hours away so many people did not get the word and (most likely) pre-written stories where post to the net, and then the stories whould be share and re-share. JPL has remove the "phantom" 2015 YB from there web page... they shoud it is not "real" when more confirming observations come in to show that it is "real" the object will get a designation and appear on an MPEC or MPS it will be put back on the JPL web page( I do not work there can not say why it would not be there).

It did not hit the Erth, the two(2014 AA and 2008 TC3) SMALL "asteroid" that where known before hiting Earth have designations and can be found on JPL web page (2014 AA and 2008 TC3) .

Dec 19, 2015

Asteroid 2015 YB an Asteroid that will NOT brush by the Earth on 2015-12-19

As amateur astronomer I enjoy making and observation reporting asteroids and comets. When they are in the news it makes it more enjoyble. On 2015-12-17 read a messages from Bill Gray of Project Pluto on the The Minor Planet Mailing List {MPML} about an interesting object on the NEO Confirmation Page. Later in the day The Minor Planet Center issue Minor Planet Electronic Circular(MPEC): MPEC 2015-Y15 : 2015 YB announcing the discovery 2015 YB. What made 2015 YB an interesting object is the it would have passed with in 0.2 Lunar Distances of Eath. Goldstone requested astrometry to aid in their radar observations of 2015 YB.

So I gave it a go first did run of 30 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on on itelescope.net's (TEL T18 0.32-m f/8.0 astrograph + CCD) at AstroCamp Observatory. Nerpio, Spain (MPC Code I89) however I had a bad set of orbital elements. Leter on 2015-12-18 with better set of orbital elements did second run 30 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images (T18) with no luck. Then I try a run 14 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images on on itelescope.net's (TEL T24 0.61-m f/6.5 astrograph + CCD) Auberry California USA - MPC U69. It was time for bed I call it a night.

On the monring of the 2015-12-18 I check MPEC 2015-Y19 : DAILY ORBIT UPDATE (2015 DEC. 18 UT) and saw that there were no new observations of 2015 YB and then check the NEOCP Blog and found that other observers could not find "2015 YB". It turn out that an observer reported observations that where false detections. On 2015-12-19 MPEC 2015-Y31 : RETRACTION OF 2015 YB was issue, stating that the designation 2015 YB was being retracted, poor observations being thrown out, object was returnd to the NEOCP under its observer-assigned temporary designations, other technical details, and that it had Hungaria-type orbit (not a NEO so no brush by the Earth on 2015-12-19 )

I was hoping make blog post showing images of Asteroid 2015 YB and tell you about how it will brush by the Earth on 2015-12-19. However I can not because I will not.

I am part of community of independent observers and that is the real enjoyment.

Nov 6, 2015

Confirmation images of Comet C/2015 V2 (JOHNSON) on 2015-11-04

The comet C/2015 V2 (JOHNSON) was discovered on 2015-11-03 by Jess A. Johnson at the Catalina Sky Survey( MPC Code 703). While C/2015 V2 (JOHNSON) was on the Possible Comet Confirmation Page in an effort to help in the confirmation I obtain a total of 18-- 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images (in two runs) on itelescope.net's (TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 astrograph + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer) at Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) - MPC H06 and created 4 stacks of 4 images with Astrometrica.

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

Oct 27, 2015

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:

Oct 2, 2015

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)

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)

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

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Dec 20, 2015

Dec 19, 2015

Nov 6, 2015

Oct 27, 2015

Oct 2, 2015