Lagniappe Observing

Nov 8, 2016

Information on the Asteroid (35396) 1997 XF11

The Near Earth Object (35396) 1997 XF11 is notable( or notorious) for the fact it became the center of a media firestorm on 11 March 1998 when an IAU Circular and press information sheet incorrectly stated the possibility of it impacting the Earth in 2028. Within a day new calculations where done showing the probability of Earth impact to be essentially zero. However this was after the news media reported the story and old(or incorrect) news stories have away living for long time(this can be a good thing if research is done right). This is why one should aways look for updates when doing any research. Recently this story has made a comeback in blogosphere. To show that (35396) 1997 XF11 is NOT "Being Hidden From the World" I obtain the publicly available orbit and imaged it from AstroCamp Observatory. Nerpio, Spain (MPC Code I89)...and I fond where it should be. Here is the images, background information, and links on (35396) 1997 XF11.

The Near Earth Objects (35396) 1997 XF11 on 2016-11-01 from AstroCamp Observatory. Nerpio, Spain - (MPC Code I89) using itelescope.net's (T7 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD) a stack of 4 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley

The Near Earth Objects (35396) 1997 XF11 on 2016-11-01 from AstroCamp Observatory. Nerpio, Spain - (MPC Code I89)
using itelescope.net's (T7 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD) a stack of 4 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley

Background

(as of 2016-11-07)

Object: (35396) 1997 XF11
Approximate Diameter: 1.3 km - 2.8 km ( 0.807783 miles to 1.739839 km )(Absolute Magnitude: H=16.9)
Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO] Potentially Hazardous Asteroid
On the Sentry Risk Table: No
On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: No
First(Precovery) Observation was Made: 1990 03 22.44427
First(Precovery) Observed By: Palomar Mountain (MPC Code 675)
Discovery Observation was Made: 1997 12 06.47227
Discovery Observation was Made By: Steward Observatory, Kitt Peak-Spacewatch (MPC Code 691) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 1997-Y11 : 1997 XF11
Last Observation(publish): 2016 11 04.83358 (by Purple Mountain Observatory, XuYi Station, China (MPC Code D29))
Data-Arc Span(publish) : 9724 days (26.62 yr)
Number of Optical Observations(published): 1595
Radar observations: 6
Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):

(006) Fabra Observatory, Barcelona, Spain.
(046) Klet Observatory, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
(057) Belgrade, Serbia.
(073) Bucharest, Romania.
(084) Pulkovo, Russia
(104) San Marcello Pistoiese, Italy.
(106) Crni Vrh, Slovenia
(118) Astronomical and Geophysical Observatory, Modra, Slovakia.
(127) Bornheim, Germany
(130) Lumezzane, Italy.
(151) Eschenberg Observatory, Winterthur, Switzerland.
(160) Castelmartini,Italy.
(168) Kourovskaya, Russia.
(176) Observatorio Astronomico de Consell, Spain.
(185) Observatoire Astronomique Jurassien-Vicques, Switzerland.
(204) Schiaparelli Observatory,Italy
(213) Observatorio Montcabre, Spain
(251) Arecibo, Puerto Rico,US
(253) Goldstone DSS 14, Fort Irwin, California, US
(291) LPL/Spacewatch II, Arizona,US
(333) Desert Eagle Observatory,Arizona, US
(360) Kuma Kogen, Japan
(379) Hamamatsu-Yuto, Japan
(402) Dynic Astronomical Observatory,Japan
(413) Siding Spring Observatory,NSW, Australia
(422) Loomberah, NSW, Australia
(428) Reedy Creek,QLD,Australia.
(474) Mount John Observatory, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.
(557) Ondrejov, Czech Republic
(568) Mauna Kea, Hawaii, US
(587) Sormano, Italy
(608) Haleakala-AMOS, Hawaii, US
(644) Palomar Mountain/NEAT, Arizona, US
(658) National Research Council of Canada, Brit, Columbia, Canada
(670) Camarillo,Arizona,US
(675) Palomar Mountain, Arizona,US
(691) Steward Observatory, Kitt Peak-Spacewatch, Arizona, US
(696) Whipple Observatory, Mt. Hopkins, Arizona, US
(699) Lowell Observatory-LONEOS, Arizona,US
(703) Catalina Sky Survey, Arizona,US
(704) Lincoln Laboratory ETS, New Mexico, US
(705) Apache Point,New Mexico, US
(711) McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis,Texas,US.
(807) Cerro Tololo Observatory, La Serena, Chile.
(809) European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile.
(897) YGCO Chiyoda Station, Japan.
(900) Moriyama, Japan.
(921) SW Institute for Space Research, Cloudcroft New Mexico,US
(932) John J. McCarthy Obs., New Milford, Connecticut,US
(938) Linhaceira,Portugal.
(940) Waterlooville, UK.
(941) Observatorio Pla D'Arguines, Spain.
(952) Marxuquera, Spain.
(954) Teide Observatory,Canary Islands (Spain).
(A30) Crespadoro,Italy.
(B67) Sternwarte Mirasteilas, Falera, Switzerland.
(C00) Velikie Luki, Russian.
(C20) Kislovodsk Mtn. Astronomical Stn., Pulkovo Obs., Russia.
(C51) WISE.
(D25) Tzec Maun Observatory, Pingell (before 2010),WA, Australia.
(D29) Purple Mountain Observatory, XuYi Station, China.
(E12) Siding Spring Survey, NSW, Australia
(F51) Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala, Hawaii, US
(G34) Oberfrauendorf, Germany.
(G36) Calar Alto-CASADO, Spain.
(G45) Space Surveillance Telescope, Atom Site, New Mexico, US
(G92) Jarnac Observatory, Vail, Arizona,US
(G96) Mt. Lemmon Survey, Arizona, US
(H21) Astronomical Research Observatory, Westfield, Illinois, US
(H23) Pear Tree Observatory, Valparaiso , Florida, US
(H45) Arkansas Sky Obs., Petit Jean Mountain South, Arkansas, US
(H79) York University Observatory, Toronto, Canada/Ontario.
(I20) Observatorio Astronomico Salvador, Rio Cuarto, Argentina.
(J16) An Carraig Observatory, Loughinisland, UK.
(J19) El Maestrat, Spain.
(J75) OAM Observatory, La Sagra, Spain.
(J93) Mount Tuffley Observatory, Gloucester, UK.
(J94) Abbeydale, UK.
(K38) M57 Observatory, Saltrio, Italy.
(K63) G. Pascoli Observatory, Castelvecchio Pascoli, Italy.
(Q62) iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring, NSW, Australia.
(T05) ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala, Hawaii, US
(V78) Spirit Marsh Observatory. Sauk Centre, Minnesota, US
(V83) Rolling Hills Observatory, Warrensburg, Missouri, US
(W19) Kalamazoo, Michigan, US
(Y00) SONEAR Observatory, Oliveira (S20.71513 W44.78496) Brazil.

Perihelion Distance: 0.7445669829462876 (AU)

Aphelion Distance: 2.141039135154752 (AU)

Earth MOID: 0.000392071 AU ( 0.153 (LD)) or 36,445.276 miles (58,652.987 (KM))

Last Close-Approach to Earth: Passed the Earth on 2016-June-10 at a Nominal Distance of 0.179984750131334 (AU), (70.045 Lunar Distance (LD)), 16,730,627.744 or miles (26,925,335.376 (KM))

Close-Approach to Venus: Will pass Venus on 2021-September-17 at Nominal Distance of 0.0932504234507136 (AU) (36.29 (LD)) or 8,668,168.39 miles (13,950,064.789 (KM))

Close-Approach to Earth: Will safely pass Earth on 2021-November-18 at Nominal Distance of 0.443542182988942 (AU) (172.614 (LD)) or 41,229,821.677 miles (66,352,966.137 (KM))

Close-Approach to Earth: Will safely pass Earth on 2023-May-05 at Nominal Distance of 0.241774173444771 (AU) (94.092 (LD)) or miles 22,474,313.469 ( 36,168,901.535 (KM))

Close-Approach to Earth: Will safely pass Earth on 2028-October-26 at Nominal Distance of 0.00621153684077898 (AU) (2.417 (LD)) or 577,398.421 miles (929,232.685 (KM))

Close-Approach to The Moon: Will safely pass Moon on 2028-October-26 at Nominal Distance of 0.00886650062640578 (AU)(3.451 (LD)) or 824,192.723 miles (1,326,409.614(KM))
Useful Links:

Nov 7, 2016

Confirmation Images of the Asteroid 2016 VC1

Background

(as of 2016-11-06)

Object: 2016 VC1
Approximate Diameter: 130 m - 290 m ( 426.509 feet to 951.444 feet)(Absolute Magnitude: H= 21.576 )
Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO] Potentially Hazardous Asteroid
On the Sentry Risk Table: NO
On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: No
First Observation was made: 2016 11 02.59825
First Observed By: Purple Mountain Observatory, XuYi Station, China (MPC Code D29) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2016-V47 : 2016 VC1
Last Observation was made(publish): 2016 11 06.85421 (by Bernezzo Observatory (MPC Code C77))
Data-Arc Span(publish) : 4 days
Number of Observations(published): 69
Perihelion Distance: 0.7144718474842521(AU)
Aphelion Distance: 3.872523314277046 (AU)
Earth MOID: 0.0356285 AU ( 13.866 (LD)) or 3,311,875.979 miles (5,329,947.736 (KM))
Next Close-Approach to Earth: Will safely pass Earth on 2016-Nov-22 at Nominal Distance of 0.0451994363061197 (AU) ( 17.59 (LD)) or 4,201,550.09 miles (6,761,739.428 (KM))

A confirmation image of the Near Earth Object 2016 VC1
on 2016-11-04 from Auberry California USA - (MPC Code U69)
a stack of 5 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images using
itelescope.net's (t24 TEL 0.61-m f/6.5 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the Near Earth Object 2016 VC1
on 2016-11-05 from Auberry California USA - (MPC Code U69)
a stack of 9 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images using
itelescope.net's (t24 TEL 0.61-m f/6.5 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley

Other links:

Near Earth Objects Dynamic Site--2016 VC1

(MPC) Observations 2016 VC1

JPL Orbit Diagram 2016 VC1

NEO Earth Close Approaches (JPL)

The Tracking News

NEO Coordination Centre

Speed of Light - Space - Distance Calculator

Asteroid Hazards: The View from Space(MPC)

Understanding Risk Pages By Jon Giorgini

An Asteroid as Entered the Blogosphere… Should I Be Worried? A commentary by Steven M. Tilley

Don’t fear apocalyptic asteroids: you’re safer than you think

Nov 4, 2016

Confirmation Images of the Asteroid 2016 UZ106

Background

(as of 2016-11-04)

Object: 2016 UZ106
Approximate Diameter: 1 km - 2 km (688.976 feet to 1541.99 feet)(Absolute Magnitude: H= 17.5 )
Orbit Type: Inner Main-belt Asteroid [Hungaria]

A confirmation image of the hungaria asteroid 2016 UZ106

on the night of 2016-11-02 from AstroCamp Observatory. Nerpio, Spain - (MPC Code I89)

using itelescope.net's (t18 TEL 0.32-m f/8.0 reflector + CCD)

a stack of 7 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images

A confirmation image of the hungaria asteroid 2016 UZ106
on the night of 2016-11-02 from AstroCamp Observatory. Nerpio, Spain - (MPC Code I89)
using itelescope.net's (t18 TEL 0.32-m f/8.0 reflector + CCD)
a stack of 7 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the hungaria asteroid 2016 UZ106
on the night of 2016-11-02 from AstroCamp Observatory. Nerpio, Spain - (MPC Code I89)
using itelescope.net's (t18 TEL 0.32-m f/8.0 reflector + CCD)
a stack of 21 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the hungaria asteroid 2016 UZ106

on the night of 2016-11-03 from from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)

using itelescope.net's (T32 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)

a stack of 10 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images

A confirmation image of the hungaria asteroid 2016 UZ106
on the night of 2016-11-03 from from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
using itelescope.net's (T32 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
a stack of 10 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley

Other links:

Oct 27, 2016

15 000 space rocks and counting

The international effort to find, confirm and catalogue the multitude of asteroids that pose a threat to our planet has reached a milestone: 15,000 discovered – with many more to go. For Infomation see 15 000 space rocks and counting,Catalog of Known Near-Earth Asteroids Tops 15,000

Oct 20, 2016

A Confirmation Image of The NEO 2016 UE On 2016-10-20

A confirmation image of the Near-Earth Object 2016 UE
on 2016-10-20 from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of 4 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD) (C) Steven M. Tilley

See:

Oct 10, 2016

Confirmation of the comet C/2016 T1 (Matheny)

Background

(as of 2016-10-13)

Object: Comet C/2016 T1 (Matheny)
Absolute Magnitude: M1= 13.0
Orbit Type: Parabolic Comet
First Observed was made on: 2016 10 06.09330
First Observed By: Rose Matheny at Mt. Lemmon Survey, Arizona, USA (MPC Code G96)
The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2016-T117: COMET C/2016 T1 (Matheny)
The Discovery CBET: 4328: 20161011 : COMET C/2016 T1 (MATHENY)
Last Observed(publish):2016 10 11.82329 (by Bernezzo Observatory, Italy.(MPC Code C77))
Data-Arc Span(publish) : 5 days
Number of Observations(published): 93
Perihelion Distance: 2.319492699700049 (AU)

A confirmation image of the comet C/2016 T1 (Matheny)
on 2016-10-07 from AstroCamp Observatory. Nerpio, Spain - (MPC Code I89)
a stack of 50 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images using
itelescope.net's (t18 TEL 0.32-m f/8.0 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the comet C/2016 T1 (Matheny)
on 2016-10-07 from Auberry California USA - (MPC Code U69)
a stack of 53 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images using
itelescope.net's (t24 TEL 0.61-m f/6.5 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley

Other links:

(MPC) Observations COMET C/2016 T1 (Matheny)

JPL Orbit Diagram Comet C/2016 T1 (Matheny)

The Tracking News

Speed of Light - Space - Distance Calculator

The Possible Comet Confirmation Page

The Asteroid 2009 ES Past Safely then Someone Said Something and The Internet Goes Crazy

Background

(as of 2016-10-10)

Object: 2009 ES
Approximate Diameter: 210 m - 470 m (688.976 feet to 1541.99 feet)(Absolute Magnitude: H= 20.5 ) --(NOT 10 km)
Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO] Potentially Hazardous Asteroid
On the Sentry Risk Table: No Removed on 2009-03-18 10:56
On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: No Removed see The Tracking News(Wednesday, 18 March 2009)
First Observed was made on: 2009 03 02.21182
First Observed By: Mt. Lemmon Survey, Arizona, USA (MPC Code G96) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2009-E19 : 2009 ES see The Tracking News(Tuesday, 3 March 2009)
Last Observed(publish):2016 10 06.09155 (by Arkansas Sky Obs., Petit Jean Mountain South (MPC Code H45))
Data-Arc Span(publish) : 2775 days (7.60 yr)
Number of Observations(published): 166
Observatories Reporting Observations(published):

Arkansas Sky Obs., Petit Jean Mountain South, Arkansas, USA
Castelmartini, Italy.
Cerro Tololo Observatory, La Serena, Chile.
Eschenberg Observatory, Winterthur, Switzerland.
Fabra Observatory, Barcelona, Spain.
Kitt Peak, Arizona, USA
Klet Observatory-KLENOT, Czech Republic.
Kyiv comet station, Ukraine.
LPL/Spacewatch II, Arizona, USA
Mount John Observatory, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand.
Mt. Lemmon Survey, Arizona, USA
Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Socorro New Mexico, US
Observatorio Tesla, Valdemorillo, Spain.
Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala, Hawaii, USA
SONEAR Observatory, Oliveira, Brazil.
Schiaparelli Observatory, Italy.
Sternwarte Mirasteilas, Falera, Switzerland.

Perihelion Distance: 0.9619118307549718(AU)
Aphelion Distance: 1.907532258830227(AU)
Earth MOID: 0.0390574 AU (15.2 (LD)) or 3,630,612.147 miles (5,842,903.875(KM))
Last Close-Approach to Earth: Passed the Earth on 2016-Sep-05 at a Nominal Distance of 0.0483771077875026 (AU), (18.827 Lunar Distance (LD)), or 4,496,933.108 miles (7,237,112.315 (KM))
Next Close-Approach to Mars: Will pass Mars on 2017-Oct-18 at Nominal Distance of 0.00457422070311273 (AU) (1.78(LD)) or 425,200.378 miles (684,293.677(KM))
Next Close-Approach to Earth: Will safely pass Earth on 2028-Sep-18 at Nominal Distance of 0.323012120161073 (AU) (125.707(LD)) or 30,025,852.387 miles (48,321,925.383 (KM))

The NEO 2009 ES on 2016-09-20 (Astrometrica) a stack of 4 - 60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's (TEL T11 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer) at (MPC Code H06) Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) By Steven M. Tilley

Tweets(Before Purple Mountain Observatory's Report)

Asteroid Earth Impact - 5-Day Forecast:

ALL CLEAR!

With Occasional Earth Flybys pic.twitter.com/Csz50RHsKY
— Ron Baalke (@RonBaalke) September 3, 2016

A large ~350-meter asteroid, 2009 ES, passes safely by the Earth today (19 Lunar Distance) pic.twitter.com/KPhIpnCFWN
— Ron Baalke (@RonBaalke) September 5, 2016

Asteroid 2009 ES flyby in ~ 30 mins (Sep 5 at 19:24 UT). Dist: 18.83 LD. Size: 150-470 m. https://t.co/Ox8KTKqbmm
— Minor Planet Center (@MinorPlanetCtr) September 5, 2016

asteroid (2009 ES) missed earth by 19 lunar distances: diameter ~340 m, velocity 18.06 km/s, energy ~2 gigatons. https://t.co/tGkAZRSqPP
— Asteroids and Comets (@AsteroidMisses) September 5, 2016

Note before Purple Mountain Observatory's Report 2009 ES just a NEO with well know orbit. Any danger into the foreseeable future from 2009 ES was ruled out on 2009-03-18 10:56(UTC).

Purple Mountain Observatory's Report

No panic! China telescope captures images of Earth-approaching asteroid for 1st time https://t.co/atY8QJ4rWB pic.twitter.com/wWzEcAPnkY
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) September 8, 2016

Telescope at Purple Mountain Observatory in Nanjing captured images of #asteroid 2009ES approaching Earth. #Jiangsu pic.twitter.com/FixXW16B9C
— Jiangsu China (@loveJiangsu) September 9, 2016

Then as this story moved through the blogosphere, it changed like the "telephone game." The report was misread, poorly translated, misunderstood, etc. then rewritten by other writers with the wrong information. Then other writers then use the revised stories as sources for new stories adding to the madness. One should seek out the original story(and see if it is reliable), and check for reliable information from some of the reliable sources such as the Minor Planet Center, NASA NEO Program Office at JPL, ESA's NEODyS (Near Earth Objects Dynamic Site), or The Tracking News. I am not posting links to the crazy stories, Just Google Asteroid 2009 ES and see for yourself.

Other links:

Correction: (as of 2016-10-25) was corrected to say (as of 2016-10-10) the date of the post

Confirmation of the Near-Earth Object 2016 TJ17

Confirmation image of the Near-Earth Object 2016 TJ17 (absolute magnitude =25.4 ~28m)
on 2016-10-08 a stack of 9-60 second luminance BIN2 taken
with iTelescope.net's (T17 TEL 0.43-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD)
at Observatory: Siding Spring - Australia (MPC code Q62)
By Steven M. Tilley

Background

(as of 2016-10-09)

Object: 2016 TJ17
Approximate Diameter: 22 m - 160.761 m(72.1785 feet to 1541.99 feet)( Absolute Magnitude: H= 25.409 )
Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO]
On the Sentry Risk Table: No (Never has been listed )
On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: No
First Observed was made on: 2016 10 06.27431
First Observed By: Catalina Sky Survey, Arizona,USA (MPC Code 703) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2016-T82 : 2016 TJ17 see The Tracking News(Saturday, 8 October 2016)
Last Observed(publish):2016 10 09.26048
Data-Arc Span(publish) : 3 days
Number of Observations(publish): 58
Perihelion Distance: 0.7816366260606531
Aphelion Distance: 3.537812747373569
Earth MOID: 0.00117955(0.459 (LD)) 109,646.022 or miles (176,458.168 (KM))
Last Close-Approach to Earth: Passed the Earth on at a Nominal Distance of 0.0031372716407202 (AU), (1.221Lunar Distance (LD)), or 291,627.618 miles ( 469,329.157(KM))

Other links:

Space Situational Awareness(ESA) 2016 TJ17
Near Earth Objects Dynamic Site--2016 TJ17
(MPC) Observations 2016 TJ17
JPL Orbit Diagram 2009 ES
NEO Earth Close Approaches (JPL)
The Tracking News
NEO Coordination Centre
Speed of Light - Space - Distance Calculator
Asteroid Hazards: The View from Space(MPC)
Understanding Risk Pages By Jon Giorgini
An Asteroid as Entered the Blogosphere… Should I Be Worried? A commentary by Steven M. Tilley
Don’t fear apocalyptic asteroids: you’re safer than you think
The NEO Confirmation Page(MPC)
Practical guide on how to observe NEOCP object by Birtwhistle et al.

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Nov 8, 2016

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