FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Incoming asteroid 2002 NY40

[Paul Dickson <dickson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 19 Jul 2002 15:09:08 -0700 (MST), Brian Skiff wrote:

>      The recently discovered asteroid 2002 NY40 will be making a close
> approach August 18-19.  Minimum distance based on the first orbit is
> 0.0036 AU, or about a third of a million miles = half a million kilometers.
> The current prediction is for it to get up to about mag. 10.  The object
> will be moving at some 125 deg/day.  
>      Details can be found here:
> 
> http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/mpec/K02/K02O17.html
> 
> Remember that because of the close approach, the ephemeris shown in this
> MPEC is likely to change drastically in the coming weeks.  To actually
> find it you'll need an up-to-date ephemeris calculated within a few days
> of the close approach.  Use the one here only for general planning purposes.
> 


Here's more interesting info from Sky & Telescope:

> =========================================================================
>
> * * * * SKY & TELESCOPE's WEEKLY NEWS BULLETIN - July 26, 2002 * * * *
>
> =========================================================================
>
> Welcome to S&T's Weekly News Bulletin. Images, the full text of stories
> abridged here, and other enhancements are available on our Web site,
> SkyandTelescope.com, at the URLs provided below. Clear skies!
>
> =========================================================================
>
>
> HEFTY ASTEROID TO SWEEP NEAR EARTH
>
> [...]
>
> Still quite faint at magnitude 18, 2002 NY40 is making a very tight loop
> around the star Beta Aquarii. During the next few weeks it will brighten
> tremendously and yet remain almost motionless in the sky -- the eerie
> signature of an asteroid hurtling right toward Earth! On the night of
> Saturday, August 17th, 2002 NY40 should reach magnitude 9.3 when well
> placed for viewing from North America. At that time its angular velocity
> will exceed 4 arcminutes per minute, a motion easily perceptible in small
> telescopes. SKY & TELESCOPE plans to issue detailed observing
> instructions, through AstroAlerts and SkyandTelescope.com, in the days
> leading up to this rare event....
>
> [...]

        -Paul

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