Dear developers,
Would that be possible to include 2018-BC and 2018-CC asteroids?
Also, would that be possible to include Tesla's latest trajectory as well?
If these are not possible, any opinion is greatly appreciated that would help me to take astro-imaging and or observing of these close to Earth objects.
Thank you, best regards,
Zoltan (LAAS.ORG)
2018 BC is already in our data. Search for "2018 BC", without the dash. 2018 CC is not yet in the files we pull from the Minor Planet Center. My guess is it will be included soon.
We might be able to add the Tesla trajectory. We are looking into it but I can't guarantee when or even if it will happen. I don't think the orbital parameters are known yet.
I apologise, I mistyped the 2018 CB asteroid's name (BC). Would that be possible to add it to the database. I have SS5Pro.
Btw, I just updated again and then searched, regardless of typing 2018 CB or BC, not found.
Best regards.
Sorry, we will not be able to get that added before tomorrow's flyby.
:( Thank you for the quick response, Bill.
Z
Someone in another thread asked the same thing. It really takes several hours to enter the elements manually and make sure our prediction match those of the Minor Planet Center. We often will do this if it will be a couple of weeks until a flyby, but we just don't have time right now.
I totally understand, Bill, and thank you for the explanation. If I am lucky, I just found the object in the JPL database, and I could probably pull some RA and DEC that is close enough to notice the asteroid's movement. Just one question that you probably would know right away, can you help me to get a ball park on the visual magnitude for tonight and/or tomorrow?
I've heard it will be around 13th magnitude at time of flyby.
That sounds good, good chance I would see it with a 12inch SCT.
Does RA ~7:35..8h and Dec+49..50 sound about right to you??
Thanks very much!
The RA/Dec will be changing every second during the flyby. No way I can say if those are reasonable. You will have to generate an ephemeris for your location.
Perhaps this will help: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/asteroid-2018-cb-graze-earth-friday-watch-online/
Thank you! Have a great day, Bill.
Z
We added the Tesla roadster to our data a couple of days ago. If you search for "Tesla" you should find it. We are going to push a new iOS release later today or tomorrow that even has a 3D model of the roadster that you will see when orbiting the object (no Starman though).