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The latest ephemeris can be generated by using:
https://minorplanetcenter.net/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html
or
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons/app.html#/
Photometry – the ARPS section is collating very good light curves to determine its period of rotation
https://groups.io/g/ARPS/message/939
Astrometry – observers are submitting astrometry and photometry to the MPC
https://minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?utf8=%E2%9C%93&object_id=152637
Occultations – 4 occultations of stars have been observed (in USA, Poland and Spain) providing high-quality astrometry of the asteroid
https://ukoccultations.groups.io/g/main/message/5005
Goldstone radar is tracking it
https://echo.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroids/1997nc1.2026.goldstone.planning.html
Timelapse recordings will be nice souvenirs of its flyby. Tonight (Jun 26) its sky motion is 43 arcsec / minute and at mag 10 is a fine sight moving against the rich star fields.
In contrast to living in the digital world, view it in your eyepiece and experience the solar system in motion. Catch it now before it dives into southern skies on Sunday.
Alex.
If anyone has difficulty understanding what was being said at the June 3rd meeting of the ‘Norman Collier Appreciation Society’ I suggest clicking on Subtitles (at lower right).
It does quite a good job of on-the-fly subtitling – and under the YouTube recording details there’s a Transcript – Show transcript option.
Alex.
Hi Jeremy,
There was a YouTube comment from someone else saying it was difficult to hear the first talks so they gave up watching.
I look forward to seeing the IoP’s Wurlitzer theatre organ rising from beneath the dais, bedecked with microphones to suit the heights of all speakers… 🙂
Cheers,
Alex.
I wish to declare that I have a Celestron NexStar 127 Mak – which I obtained by fair means – and I’ve never been a member of the SNP (Starry Night Party).
Alex.
Hi Jeremy,
I look forward to reading the report in the Journal.
Like many other members, I have copies of her Introduction to Astronomy, and The Galactic Novae.
Alex.
The Moon certainly looks strange and unfamiliar as viewed by Artemis II as we see more of the ‘far side’ features.
Alex.
Hi all,
There’s interesting astrometry, images and discussion threads on MPML (Minor Planet Mailing List, archive visible to anyone)
https://groups.io/g/mpml/topic/astrometry_for_artemis_ii_and/118627349
https://groups.io/g/mpml/topic/artemis_movie/118648043
Caveat emptor – I never follow links to so-called ‘social media’ especially requiring logins, passwords, tracking me etc, so I can’t comment on those.
Alex.
Good luck with that project, Nick. (Looks like more clouds and rain for me).
Yes, JPL Horizons now have ephemeris details for the mission:
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons/app.html#/
Edit Target Body to be Artemis II
Select a Location or MPC observatory code
Select a Start Time after 2026-04-02 01:47:08
Select a Stop Time and Step interval
(Times are UTC)
Click Generate EphemerisAlex.
Clouds, rain and strong cold winds today. The sky improved about 20 mins before the DD. so I could align my C11 on the Moon. Clouds raced in again, only giving me naked eye glimpses, then more rain just at DD time.
Thick cloud cover at RB time followed by heavy rain.
So much for British ‘Summer’ Time.
Alex.
Asteroid 2024 YR4 will not impact the Moon
https://www.esa.int/Space_Safety/Planetary_Defence/Asteroid_2024_YR4_will_not_impact_the_Moon
Alex.
Allan Chapman’s contribution to ‘The Legacy of Sir Patrick Moore’ – 2014 July 12
https://britastro.org/videos/sir-patrick-moore-the-man-and-his-place-in-history-2
Alex.
Thanks Callum,
I saw online comments re similar. We never have such a problem when Nick J is speaking. 🙂
Alex.
