FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: [SHALLOW] 2002 NY40, the asteroid no one could stop!

["Steve Coe" <stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx>]

Howdy all;

Using my 7 inch f/15 Maksutov from my backyard in Phoenix, AZ, I was able to 
spot the fast moving asteroid.  I printed out the finder charts from the sky 
and telescope site and they were on the money.  I just found a fairly bright 
star near the path and waited.  In a couple of minutes it moved into the field 
and through it.  I would guess about 9th magnitude.  I was using a 20mm Erfle 
eyepiece that gives a 30 arcmin field of view, the asteroid took just over 4 
minutes to go across that field.  I didn't have a stop watch, so real accuracy 
must be left up to others.  It was a fascinating evening.  

The only other night like this that I can remember being more fun was Comet 
IRAS-Iraki-Alcock.  It came so "close" to Earth that you could watch it move!  
As a 4th mag. comet it literally moved among the background stars as you 
watched.  If it was approaching a bright star and you looked away for a few 
moments, it would be at a very different angle with the star when you looked 
back.  A memorable night.....

Clear Skies to us all;
Steve Coe
stevecoe@xxxxxxxxx
Author:  Deep Sky Observing--The Astronomical Tourist
Saguaro Astronomy Club web site:
www.saguaroastro.org


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