Close Approach of 2020 BP13

[PMSchu]

CNEOS predicts that the medium-sized NEO, 2020 BP13, will make a close approach on 2024-Apr-09 02:32±<00:01 UT at a distance of 0.03886 AU moving with V Relative=6.80 km/sec, H=21.1 magnitude, diameter 160 m - 350 m amd 'Rarity'=1. This NEO has a 3022 day observation arc and the Condition Code=0, so the orbit is well defined. The Earth MOID=0.0100175 AU. The solution date was 2024-Mar-28 05:47:42 PDT. Per the Minor Planet Center (MPC) the initial reported observation was by Mt. Lemmon Survey on 2020-01-28. It's been observed over 5 oppositions.

Using orbital elements downloaded from the MPC for the epoch 2024 Mar 29 0000 UT, ST4v predicts that this NEO will reach a maximum brightness of 16.4 magnitude on 2024 April 8 2300 EDT moving through Ara at 14"/min, but below the horizon from Columbus, Ohio. This is a southern hemisphere object with a relatively flat light curve near maximum brightness. It's predicted to be brighter than 17th magnitude several days before and after closest approach.

Here's the Object Info dialog for this NEO: [attachment=3046]

This object should require a large aperture to observe visually, but imagers should have an easier time detecting it as it's not moving too fast and shouldn't trail too badly.

Good hunting,

Phil S.