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Jan 12, 2017

The Earth Got Buzz by the Asteroid 2017 AG13 -- 50% Closer Than The Moon


Artist's concept of a near-Earth object. ImageCourtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech
On  2017 Jan  7  at  7:39:30.24(UTC) the Catalina Sky Survey discovered an asteroid on route to buzz the Earth. They submit their observations to the Minor Planet Center(MPC) and the "object"(with their observations) was posted the NEO Confirmation Page.  Observers from around from the world took follow-up observations and on 2017 Jan  8 at 15:14(UTC) the Minor Planet Electronic Circular announcing the discovery. On 2017 Jan  9 at  ~12:49 (UTC) buzz the Earth at ~  0.5 Lunar Distances (LD) -- to put things in perspective"If" the Earth Was the Size of a Basketball this would be ~ 12.80 feet(3.90 meters)  away.

Background
(as of 2017-01-11 ) 

  • Object: 2017 AG13
  • Orbit Type: Aten [NEO]
  • Approximate Diameter: 16 m - 37 m (52.4934 feet to 121.391 feet)(Absolute Magnitude: H= 26.039)
  • On the Sentry Risk Table: No (Never has been listed )
  • On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: No
  • Discovery (First) observation was made: 2017 01 07.31910
  • Discovery (First )observation by: Catalina Sky Survey, Arizona, USA (MPC Code 703) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2017-A58 : 2017 AG13
  • Last Observation (publish):2 017 01 09.53408 (by Mt. Lemmon Survey (MPC Code G96)  )
  • Data-Arc Span (publish): 2 days
  • Number of Optical Observations(published):70
  • Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):
    • (204) Schiaparelli Observatory, Italy.
    • (703) Catalina Sky Survey, US/ Arizona.
    • (958) Observatoire de Dax, France.
    • (B49) Paus Observatory, Sabadell, Spain.
    • (C44) A. Volta Observatory, Lanzo d'Intelvi, Italy.
    • (G96) Mt. Lemmon Survey, US/Arizona. 
    • (H21) Astronomical Research Observatory, Westfield, US/Illinois.
    • (I52) Steward Observatory, Mt. Lemmon Station, US/Arizona.
    • (I93) St Pardon de Conques, France.
    • (K65) Cesena, Italy.
    • (W25) RMS Observatory, Cincinnati, US/Ohio.
  • Perihelion Distance:0.5501188546601535 (AU)
  • Aphelion Distance:1.376259329339826 (AU)
  • Earth MOID: 5.66787E-5 AU (0.022 (LD)) or 5,268.614  miles ( 8,479.013 (KM))
  • Last Close-Approach to Earth: Passed the Earth on 2017-Jan-10 at a Nominal Distance of 0.00139468114617598 (AU), ( 0.543 Lunar Distance (LD)), or 129,643.712 miles (208,641.33 (KM)) -- to put things in perspective "If" the Earth Was the Size of a Basketball this would be 12.80 feet(3.90 meters) 
  • Next Close-Approach to Earth:  Will safely pass Earth on 2028-Sep-12 at a Nominal Distance of 0.336749573158621  (AU) (131.053 (LD)) or 31,302,828.42  miles (50,377,019.101(KM))
Useful Links:

Jan 11, 2017

Confirmation Image of COMET C/2017 A3 (Elenin) on 2017 01 06 from Siding Spring Observatory

A confirmation images of COMET C/2017 A3 (Elenin) on 2017-01-06
from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a 120 Second Luminance BIN2 Image taken with iTelescope.net's
(TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD)
A confirmation images of COMET C/2017 A3 (Elenin) on 2017-01-06
from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a 120 Second Luminance BIN2 Image taken with iTelescope.net's
(TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD)
Congratulations to Leonid Elenin for the discovery.

Background
(as of 2017-01-11 )
  • Object: C/2017 A3 (Elenin)
  • Orbit Type: Parabolic Comet 
  • Discovery (First) observation was made: 2017 01 05.45843
  • Discovery (First )observation by: ISON-SSO Observatory, Siding Spring (MPC Code Q60) The Discovery M.P.E.C.:MPEC 2017-A75 : COMET C/2017 A3 (Elenin) 
  • Last Observation(publish): 2017 01 10.29746 (by Polonia Observatory, San Pedro de Atacama (MPC Code W98)
  • Data-Arc Span(publish) : 5 days 
  • Number of Optical Observations(published): 84
  • Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):
    •  (807) Cerro Tololo Observatory, La Serena, Chile
    • (E23) Arcadia,Australia/NSW.
    • (I47) Pierre Auger Observatory, Malargue, Argentina
    • (Q60) ISON-SSO Observatory, Siding Spring, Australia/NSW.
    • (Q62) iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring,Australia/NSW.
    • (W88) Slooh.com Chile Observatory, La Dehesa, Chile.
    • (W96) CAO, San Pedro de Atacam (since 2013),Chile.
    • (W98) Polonia Observatory, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
    • (Y00) SONEAR Observatory, Oliveira, Brazil.
  • Perihelion Distance: 3.87795779921109 (AU) 
  • Earth MOID:  3.22016
  • (MPC) Observations-C/2017 A3  
  • JPL Orbit Diagram--C/2017 A3 (Elenin)
  Useful Links:

Jan 9, 2017

Confirmation images of the NEO 2017 AF5


A confirmation image of the Near Earth Objects 2017 AF5
on 2017-01-06 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 5-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the Near Earth Objects 2017 AF5
on 2017-01-06 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 5-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley

A confirmation image of the Near Earth Objects 2017 AF5
on 2017-01-06 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 5-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley
A confirmation image of the Near Earth Objects 2017 AF5
on 2017-01-06 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 5-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley
A confirmation image of the Near Earth Objects 2017 AF5
on 2017-01-07 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 5-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley
A confirmation image of the Near Earth Objects 2017 AF5
on 2017-01-07 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 5-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley
A confirmation image of the Near Earth Objects 2017 AF5
on 2017-01-07 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 5-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley
A confirmation image of the Near Earth Objects 2017 AF5
on 2017-01-07 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 5-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley
A confirmation image of the Near Earth Objects 2017 AF5
on 2017-01-07 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 5-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley
A confirmation image of the Near Earth Objects 2017 AF5
on 2017-01-07 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 5-60 Second Luminance BIN2 Images
(C) Steven M. Tilley
Background
(as of 2017-01-09 )
 

Useful Links:
 

Dec 7, 2016

The NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-12-06 from Mayhill, New Mexico

Background
(as of 2016-12-06 ) 
  • Object: 2016 WJ1
  • Approximate Diameter: 140 m - 320 m (459.318 feet to 1049.87 feet)(Absolute Magnitude: H= 21.375)
  • Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO]- Potentially Hazardous Asteroid
  • On the Sentry Risk Table: No Removed on 2016-12-02 21:33
  • Torino Scale(NEODyS CLOMON2): 0
    • The likelihood of a collision is zero, or is so low as to be effectively zero. Also applies to small objects such as meteors and bodies that burn up in the atmosphere as well as infrequent meteorite falls that rarely cause damage."
  • First(Precovery) Observation was made: 2003 07 04.605261
  • First(Precovery) Observed By: Mauna Kea (MPC Code 568) The Precovery M.P.E.C.:MPEC 2016-X21 : 2016 WJ1
  • Discovery (First) observation was made: 2016 11 19.46522
  • Discovery (First )observation by: Mt. Lemmon Survey (MPC Code G96) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2016-W38 : 2016 WJ1
  • Last Observation(publish): 2016 12 06.14946 (by iTelescope Observatory (MPC Code H06)
  • Data-Arc Span(publish) : 4904 days (13.43 yr)
  • Number of Optical Observations(published): 305
  • Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):
    • (046) Klet Observatory, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
    • (151) Eschenberg Observatory, Winterthur, Switzerland.
    • (160) Castelmartini, Italy.
    • (203) GiaGa Observatory, Italy.
    • (246) Klet Observatory-KLENOT, Czech Republic.
    • (291) LPL/Spacewatch II, US/Arizona.
    • (568) Mauna Kea, US/Hawaii.
    • (691) Steward Observatory, Kitt Peak-Spacewatch, US/Arizona.
    • (926) Tenagra II Observatory, Nogales, US/Arizona.
    • (958) Observatoire de Dax, France.
    • (A17) Guidestar Observatory, Weinheim, Germany.
    • (A48) Povegliano Veronese, Italy.
    • (C47) Nonndorf,  Austria.
    • (C77) Bernezzo Observatory, Italy.
    • (E10) Siding Spring-Faulkes Telescope South, Australia/NSW
    • (F51) Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala, US/Hawaii.   Observers
    • (G96) Mt. Lemmon Survey, US/Arizona.
    • (H06) iTelescope Observatory, Mayhill, US/New Mexico.
    • (H21) Astronomical Research Observatory, Westfield, US/Illinois.
    • (H45) Arkansas Sky Obs., Petit Jean Mountain South, US/Arkansas.
    • (I52) Steward Observatory, Mt. Lemmon Station, US/Arizona.
    • (J04) ESA Optical Ground Station, Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain).
    • (J69) North Observatory, Clanfield, UK.
    • (K38) M57 Observatory, Saltrio, Italy.
    • (K61) Rokycany Observatory, Czech Republic.
    • (K65) Cesena, Italy.
    • (K74) Muensterschwarzach Observatory, Schwarzach, Germany.
    • (K88) GINOP-KHK, Piszkesteto, Hungary.
    • (L04) ROASTERR-1 Observatory, Cluj-Napoca, Romania..
    • (Q62) iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring, Australia/NSW.
    • (T05) ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala, US/Hawaii.
    • (T12) Mauna Kea-UH/Tholen N EO Follow-Up (2.24-m), US/Hawaii.
    • (W25) RMS Observatory, Cincinnati, US/Ohio.
    • (W88) Slooh.com Chile Observatory, La Dehesa, Chile.
    • (Y28) OASI, Nova Itacuruba, Brazil.
    • (Z80) Northolt Branch Observatory, UK.
  • Perihelion Distance: 0.6654428334671134 (AU)
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.013952383212332 (AU)
  • Earth MOID: 0.000339353 AU (0.132(LD)) or 31,544.832 miles (50,766.486 (KM))
  • Close-Approach to Earth: Will safely pass Earth on 2016-December-16 at a Nominal Distance of  0.0538126242900806 (AU) (20.942(LD)) or 5,002,195.932 miles (8,050,254.01(KM))
The NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-12-06 from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06)
a stack of 4-30 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T11 TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M.Tilley
The NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-12-06 from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06)
a stack of 4-30 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T11 TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M.Tilley
The NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-12-06 from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06)
a stack of 4-30 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T11 TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M.Tilley
The NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-12-06 from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06)
a stack of 4-30 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T11 TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M.Tilley
The NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-12-06 from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06)
a stack of 4-30 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T11 TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M.Tilley

The NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-12-06 from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06)
a stack of 26-30 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T11 TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M.Tilley

The NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-12-06 from Mayhill, New Mexico (New Mexico Skies) (MPC Code H06)
a stack of 10-30 Second Luminance BIN2 Images taken with iTelescope.net's
(T11 TEL 0.50-m f/6.8 reflector + CCD + f/4.5 focal reducer)
(c) Steven M.Tilley
 A screenshot of Find_Orb showing elements and their uncertainty
A screenshot of Find_Orb showing orbital elements and uncertainty 
with all published observation.(as of 2016-12-06 )
(2 observationobservation are rejected as outliers)  
Orbital elements:  2016 WJ1
   Perihelion 2017 Feb 7.484174 +/- 7.58e-5 TT = 11:37:12 (JD 2457791.984174)
Epoch 2017 Feb 16.0 TT = JDT 2457800.5   Earth MOID: 0.0004   Ve: 0.0024
M   5.41278301 +/- 0.000047         Ma: 0.0027                Find_Orb
n   0.63561452635 +/- 9.48e-8       Peri.   87.67640929 +/- 0.00013
a   1.33969778679 +/- 1.33e-7       Node    82.05225737 +/- 0.00009
e   0.5032876307 +/- 6.78e-7        Incl.    2.88944962 +/- 0.000015
P   1.55/566.37d           H 21.3   G  0.15   U  1.9  
q 0.66544446179 +/- 9.73e-7    Q 2.01395111179 +/- 7.16e-7
303 of 305 observations 2003 July 4-2016 Dec. 6; mean residual 0".31
Useful Links:

Dec 3, 2016

The NEO 2016 WJ1 Has Been Removed from the Sentry Risk Table--Neodys Risk Table List 3 Possible Impacts 2106-2115.

On December 2, 2016 at 21:33(UTC) NASA JPL removed the NEO 2016 WJ1 from the Sentry Risk Table. Whenever an object is posted to 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 case of 2016 WJ1 many follow-up observations where made and  there was a search in archives for precovery observations. From  November 24, 2016  to December 2, 2016  through the work of many observers from around the world the number of optical observations went from 68  to 240 and  the data-arc span went from 5 days to  4899 days (13.41 yr). This allowed  for the calculation of orbital elements with lower uncertainty and NASA JPL rule out  potential impacts well into the future. Notice: Neodys risk table list 3 possible impacts 2106-2115.
Background
(as of 2016-12-03 )
 
  • Object: 2016 WJ1 
  • Approximate Diameter: 140 m - 310 m (459.318 feet to 1017.06 feet)(Absolute Magnitude: H= 21.382)
  • Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO]- Potentially Hazardous Asteroid
  • On the Sentry Risk Table: No Removed on 2016-12-02 21:33
  • On the NEODyS CLOMON2 risk page: yes
  • Torino Scale(NEODyS CLOMON2): 0
    • The likelihood of a collision is zero, or is so low as to be effectively zero. Also applies to small objects such as meteors and bodies that burn up in the atmosphere as well as infrequent meteorite falls that rarely cause damage."
  • First(Precovery) Observation was made: 2003 07 04.605261
  • First(Precovery) Observed By: Mauna Kea (MPC Code 568) The Precovery M.P.E.C.:MPEC 2016-X21 : 2016 WJ1
  • Discovery (First) observation was made: 2016 11 19.46522
  • Discovery (First )observed by: Mt. Lemmon Survey (MPC Code G96) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2016-W38 : 2016 WJ1
  • Last Observation(publish): 2016 12 02.87233
    (by Nonndorf, Austria. (MPC Code C47 )
  • Data-Arc Span(publish) : 4900 days (13.42 yr)
  • Number of Optical Observations(published): 257
  • Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):
    • (151) Eschenberg Observatory, Winterthur Switzerland.  
    • (160) Castelmartini,Italy.
    • (203) GiaGa Observatory,Italy.
    • (246) Klet Observatory-KLENOT, Czech Republic.
    • (291) LPL/Spacewatch II,US/Arizona. 
    • (568) Mauna Kea,US/Hawaii.
    • (691) Steward Observatory, Kitt Peak-Spacewatch, US/Arizona.
    • (926) Tenagra II Observatory, Nogales,US/Arizona.  
    • (958) Observatoire de Dax, France.
    • (A17) Guidestar Observatory, Weinheim,Germany.
    • (A48) Povegliano Veronese,Italy.
    • (C47) Nonndorf, Austria.
    • (C77) Bernezzo Observatory, Italy.
    • (E10) Siding Spring-Faulkes Telescope South, Australia/NSW.
    • (F51) Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala, US/Hawaii.
    • (G96) Mt. Lemmon Survey, US/Arizona.
    • (H06) iTelescope Observatory, Mayhill, US/New Mexico.  
    • (H21) Astronomical Research Observatory, Westfield, US/Illinois.
    • (H45) Arkansas Sky Obs., Petit Jean Mountain South, US/Arkansas.
    • (I52) Steward Observatory, Mt. Lemmon Station,US/Arizona.
    • (J04) ESA Optical Ground Station, Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain).
    • (J69) North Observatory, Clanfield,UK.
    • (K38) M57 Observatory, Saltrio,Italy.
    • (K61) Rokycany Observatory,Czech Republic.
    • (K65) Cesena,Italy.
    • (K74) Muensterschwarzach Observatory, Schwarzach, Germany.
    • (K88) GINOP-KHK, Piszkesteto, Hungary.
    • (L04) ROASTERR-1 Observatory, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
    • (Q62) iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring, Australia/NSW.
    • (T05) ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala, US/Hawaii.
    • (T12) Mauna Kea-UH/Tholen NEO Follow-U (2.24-m),US/Hawaii.
    • (W25) RMS Observatory, Cincinnati,US/Ohio.
    • (W88) Slooh.com Chile Observatory, La Dehesa,Chile.
    • (Y28) OASI, Nova Itacuruba, Brazil.
    • (Z80) Northolt Branch Observatory,UK..
  • Perihelion Distance: 0.6654428764236301  (AU)
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.013952506814137 (AU)
  • Earth MOID: 0.000339358 AU (0.132 (LD)) or 31,545.297 miles (50,767.234 (KM))
  • Close-Approach to Earth: Will safely pass Earth on 2016-December-16 at a Nominal Distance of  0.0538116295342834 (AU) (20.942 (LD)) or 5,004,610.672 miles (8,054,140.158 (KM))
To illustrate on how the addition of observation can lower the uncertainty of orbital elements here is three
screenshot of Find_Orb showing elements and their uncertainty
 
A screenshot of Find_Orb showing orbital elements and uncertainty
 before the addition of the precovery observation.
(2 observationobservation are rejected as outliers) 
Orbital elements:  2016 WJ1
   Perihelion 2017 Feb 7.453335 +/- 0.0146 TT = 10:52:48 (JD 2457791.953335)
Epoch 2017 Feb 16.0 TT = JDT 2457800.5   Earth MOID: 0.0004   Ve: 0.0023
M   5.42420715 +/- 0.0053           Ma: 0.0027                Find_Orb
n   0.63465774060 +/- 0.000456      Peri.   87.68828816 +/- 0.0057
a   1.34104390016 +/- 0.000642      Node    82.04709113 +/- 0.0023
e   0.5040907493 +/- 0.000384       Incl.    2.89419977 +/- 0.0022
P   1.55/567.22d           H 21.3   G  0.15   U  7.6  
q 0.66503607568 +/- 0.000196    Q 2.01705172465 +/- 0.00148
233 of 235 observations 2016 Nov. 19-Dec. 1; mean residual 0".32
 
A screenshot of Find_Orb showing orbital elements and uncertainty 
after the addition of the precovery observation.
(2 observationobservation are rejected as outliers) 
 
Orbital elements:  2016 WJ1
   Perihelion 2017 Feb 7.484044 +/- 0.000243 TT = 11:37:01 (JD 2457791.984044)
Epoch 2017 Feb 16.0 TT = JDT 2457800.5   Earth MOID: 0.0004   Ve: 0.0024
M   5.41286498 +/- 0.00015          Ma: 0.0027                Find_Orb
n   0.63561447057 +/- 1.52e-7       Peri.   87.67637253 +/- 0.00017
a   1.33969786518 +/- 2.14e-7       Node    82.05217334 +/- 0.00022
e   0.5032874712 +/- 8.64e-7        Incl.    2.88944734 +/- 0.000020
P   1.55/566.37d           H 21.3   G  0.15   U  2.3  
q 0.66544471439 +/- 1.26e-6    Q 2.01395101596 +/- 8.71e-7
238 of 240 observations 2003 July 4-2016 Dec. 1; mean residual 0".32
 
A screenshot of Find_Orb showing orbital elements and uncertainty 
with all published observation.
(2 observationobservation are rejected as outliers) 

Orbital elements:  2016 WJ1
   Perihelion 2017 Feb 7.484067 +/- 0.000172 TT = 11:37:03 (JD 2457791.984067)
Epoch 2017 Feb 16.0 TT = JDT 2457800.5   Earth MOID: 0.0004   Ve: 0.0024
M   5.41285007 +/- 0.00010          Ma: 0.0027                Find_Orb
n   0.63561448686 +/- 1.18e-7       Peri.   87.67634890 +/- 0.00015
a   1.33969784228 +/- 1.66e-7       Node    82.05222716 +/- 0.00017
e   0.5032875546 +/- 7.26e-7        Incl.    2.88944241 +/- 0.000019
P   1.55/566.37d           H 21.3   G  0.15   U  2.1  
q 0.66544459133 +/- 1.05e-6    Q 2.01395109323 +/- 7.49e-7
255 of 257 observations 2003 July 4-2016 Dec. 2; mean residual 0".31
 Useful Links: 

Dec 1, 2016

The NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-12-01 from Siding Spring - Australia

See The NEO 2016 WJ1 Has Been Removed from the Sentry Risk Table--Neodys Risk Table List 3 Possible Impacts 2106-2115.

NOTE with only 12 days data-arc span there is "little" known about the NEO 2016 WJ1 and the information in this post may become outdated. So one should always check the links for updates. Whenever an object is posted to 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 2030 to 2108.
Background
(as of 2016-12-01 9:50am CST)
 
  • Object: 2016 WJ1 
  • Approximate Diameter: 140 m - 310 m (459.318 feet to 1017.06 feet)(Absolute Magnitude: H= 21.402)
  • Orbit Type: Apollo [NEO]- Potentially Hazardous Asteroid
  • On the Sentry Risk Table: yes  NO
  •  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
  • First observation was made: 2016 11 19.46522
  • First observed by: Mt. Lemmon Survey (MPC Code G96) The Discovery M.P.E.C.: MPEC 2016-W38 : 2016 WJ1
  • Last Observation(publish): 2016 12 01.48096 (by iTelescope Observatory  (MPC Code Q62)
  • Data-Arc Span(publish) : 12 days
  • Number of Optical Observations(published): 222
  • Observatories Reporting (Published) Observations(MPC Code):
    • (151) Eschenberg Observatory, Winterthur, Switzerland. 
    • (203) GiaGa Observatory, Italy.  
    • (246) Klet Observatory-KLENOT, Czech Republic.  
    • (291) LPL/Spacewatch II,Arizona,US. 
    • (691) Steward Observatory, Kitt Peak-Spacewatch, Arizona,US.
    • (926) Tenagra II Observatory, Nogales,Arizona,US. 
    • (958) Observatoire de Dax,France.
    • (A17) Guidestar Observatory, Weinheim, Germany.
    • (A48) Povegliano Veronese,Italy.
    • (C47) Nonndorf, Austria.
    • (E10) Siding Spring-Faulkes Telescope South, NSW,Australia.
    • (F51) Pan-STARRS 1, Haleakala,Hawaii,US. 
    • (G96) Mt. Lemmon Survey, Arizona,US.
    • (H06) iTelescope Observatory, Mayhill,New Mexico,US.
    • (H21) Astronomical Research Observatory, Westfield,Illinois,US.
    • (H45) Arkansas Sky Obs., Petit Jean Mountain South,Arizona,US. 
    • (I52) Steward Observatory, Mt. Lemmon Station, Arizona,US.
    • (J04) ESA Optical Ground Station, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
    • (J69) North Observatory, Clanfield, UK.
    • (K38) M57 Observatory, Saltrio, Italy.
    • (K61) Rokycany Observatory,Czech Republic.
    • (K65) Cesena Italy.
    • (K74) Muensterschwarzach Observatory, Schwarzach, Germany.
    • (K88) GINOP-KHK, Piszkesteto,Hungary.
    • (L04) ROASTERR-1 Observatory, Cluj-Napoca,Romania.
    • (Q62) iTelescope Observatory, Siding Spring, NSW,Australia.   
    • (T05) ATLAS-HKO, Haleakala,Hawaii,US.
    • (T12) Mauna Kea-UH/Tholen NEO Follow-U, Hawaii,US.
    • (W88) Slooh.com Chile Observatory, La Dehesa,Chile.
    • (Y28) OASI, Brazil.
    • (Z80) Northolt Branch Observatory, UK.
    • .
  • Perihelion Distance: .6653138187201434 (AU)
  • Aphelion Distance: 2.01493605513458 (AU)
  • Earth MOID: 0.000339608 AU (0.132 (LD)) or 31,568.536 miles (50,804.634 (KM))
  • Close-Approach to Earth: Will safely pass Earth on 2016-December-16 at a Nominal Distance of  0.0538386015810167 (AU) (20.952 (LD)) or 5,004,610.672 miles (8,054,140.158 (KM))

A image of the NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-12-01
from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of  3 - 60 second luminance BIN2 images taken with iTelescope.net's
(TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley
A image of the NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-12-01
from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of  3 - 60 second luminance BIN2 images taken with iTelescope.net's
(TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley
A image of the NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-12-01
from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of  3 - 60 second luminance BIN2 images taken with iTelescope.net's
(TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley
A image of the NEO 2016 WJ1 on 2016-12-01
from Siding Spring Observatory, Coonabarabran, NSW, Australia. (MPC Q62)
a stack of  3 - 60 second luminance BIN2 images taken with iTelescope.net's
(TEL T27 0.70-m f/6.6 reflector + CCD)
(C) Steven M. Tilley
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