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

[BAA electronic bulletins service]

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

(bcc copied to BAA members and to ARPS members)