[BAA-ebulletin 00694] Close approach of newly-discovered asteroid, 2012 QG42

[Rick]

[BAA-ebulletin 00694] Close approach of newly-discovered asteroid, 2012 QG42
(c) 2012 British Astronomical Association    http://www.britastro.org/

Discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey on 2012 Aug 26, this relatively large near-Earth asteroid will be readily observable for northern hemisphere observers between September 4-14 during which time it will attain magnitude 15.0 or brighter.  The object probably measures between 200-500 m across and is a current radar target. It will be brightest around September 10-12 when it will reach V=13.6 on average. It passes closest to us around 05h UT on September 14 at a range of about 7.4 lunar-distances (0.019 AU).

2012 QG42 is a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) and is unusual in that it passes very close to the opposition point on September 7. The circumstances of this close approach therefore makes this object a good target for photometry (using a V, R or r' filter if possible) as well as other physical studies. An ephemeris with visibility details for UK observers is available at:

http://www.britastro.org/~rmiles/Documents/2012QG42_MPC_J77.txt

If you are planning to observe this target then please consult the Minor Planet Center ephemeris service:

http://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html

to obtain exact positions for an observatory location near to your site at the time you require.

Clear skies,

Richard Miles
Director, Asteroids and Remote Planets Section
arps [at] britastro.org
2012 August 31