Doc Lynam
I hate the Daily Mail
- Jun 19, 2011
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Asteroid 2012 DA14: how to spot it | Stuart Clark | Science | guardian.co.uk
Space rock 2012 DA14 is only 50 metres across. It will pass the Earth on Friday evening (UK time) just 17,100 miles above our heads. There is no danger of a collision. Nevertheless, this is closer to the Earth than many artificial satellites.
It will pass from the southern to northern hemisphere and set the record for the closest pass of any known asteroid since systematic surveys of the sky began in the mid-1990s.
According to Don Yeomans of Nasa's Near-Earth Object Observation Programme, an asteroid like 2012 DA14 flies this close on average only once every 40 years.
This time around, however, the next one is due sooner than that. On 13 April 2029, Apophis will pass Earth closer than the ring of geostationary satellites. But, at an estimated distance of 19,400 miles, it will not break the record set tonight.
As for 2012 DA14, this could be its last close pass. Earth's gravitational field will significantly alter the asteroid's orbit around the sun, reducing its orbital period from 368 to 317 days. This will mean most of its orbit will be inside that of Earth's.
The next time the asteroid draws near to us will not be until 2046, again on 15 February. Then it will only come to within about a million miles of our planet, or about four times further than the moon. So if you want to see 2012 DA14, this Friday is the night to try.
Nasa Television will broadcast a live webcast during closest approach on Friday, featuring commentary and images from telescopes around the world (if you are using a mobile device, click here). It will start at 19:00 GMT (19:00 UT, 14:00 EST, 11:00 PST).
Space rock 2012 DA14 is only 50 metres across. It will pass the Earth on Friday evening (UK time) just 17,100 miles above our heads. There is no danger of a collision. Nevertheless, this is closer to the Earth than many artificial satellites.
It will pass from the southern to northern hemisphere and set the record for the closest pass of any known asteroid since systematic surveys of the sky began in the mid-1990s.
According to Don Yeomans of Nasa's Near-Earth Object Observation Programme, an asteroid like 2012 DA14 flies this close on average only once every 40 years.
This time around, however, the next one is due sooner than that. On 13 April 2029, Apophis will pass Earth closer than the ring of geostationary satellites. But, at an estimated distance of 19,400 miles, it will not break the record set tonight.
As for 2012 DA14, this could be its last close pass. Earth's gravitational field will significantly alter the asteroid's orbit around the sun, reducing its orbital period from 368 to 317 days. This will mean most of its orbit will be inside that of Earth's.
The next time the asteroid draws near to us will not be until 2046, again on 15 February. Then it will only come to within about a million miles of our planet, or about four times further than the moon. So if you want to see 2012 DA14, this Friday is the night to try.
Nasa Television will broadcast a live webcast during closest approach on Friday, featuring commentary and images from telescopes around the world (if you are using a mobile device, click here). It will start at 19:00 GMT (19:00 UT, 14:00 EST, 11:00 PST).
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