Asteroid 2012 DA14 to pass within 17,000Km from the Earth on Feb15!

[David Niven]

Hi all,
Just read this article about a 150 ft size small asteroid, 2012 DA14.
It is scheduled to pass within just 17,000km from our planet Earth,which is about the distance most geo synchonrous satelites are placed!
This is a very close encounter indeed. More detail in this article,
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Small_Asteroid_to_Whiz_Past_Earth_S afely_999.html

[OzEclipse]

David,

the article says 17000 miles not km.

There has been considerable discussion already in this thread :

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=102731

Joe

[icytailmark]

im taking a look at the asteroid now on stellarium. Tommorow morning around 3:16am EST its gunna be 39,000 Kms from earth at closest approach.

[OzEclipse]

Hi Mark,

That doesn't sound correct. Many of these programs don't account for the Earth's gravity. I haven't tried Stellarium but I think others have reported problems. Heavens Above, Horizons and the Minor Planet Centre ephemeris generator all are in agreement and seem to generate sensible data.

At 3:16am it will be about 80000km distant around mag 11 and still hours before closest approach. (Assuming you are in Sydney and quoting summer time)

NASA horizons spits out for Sydney
TIME.......RA...................... .DEC.....................mag....... .....dist
3:15am....9h10' 52.83"........-82deg 47' 56.2"...11.16.......81000km

and

Closest approach occurs a bit after 6am and can't be seen from the east coast due to daylight. The best view when it is brightest closest and fastest moving is at 5am just before the beginning of astronomical twilight.

From NASA Horizons for Sydney
TIME.......RA...................... .DEC.....................mag....... ..dist(km)
4:45.......10h35m52.47s......-64d53m12.2s.......9.36..........488 16
5:00.......10h42m28.17s......-59d14m26.5s.......8.96..........440 90
5:15.......10h48m8.3s..........-52d16m20.6s.......8.52.........3977 7(twi)
5:30.......10h53m4.02s........-43d42m30.6s.......8.07.........3604 9(twi)

You can also download the finder chart I've prepared for Canberra. From Sydney, you need to look about 0.35 deg west and 0.1 deg south of the position indicated on the Canberra chart at around 5am local time.

http://www.joe-cali.com/astronomy/downloads/NEO_2012_DA_14.zip

cheers

Joe

[mithrandir]

Mark, Joe is right.

I have compared Stellarium (both 0.11.4 and 0.12.1) with Sky Safari Pro and JPL Horizons and it does not match them.

CdC does better, but still is not perfect.

[Pottsy]

Anyone got a chart for locating in Victoria? like this one here http://nightskyonline.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/16_February_2013_4_45am_AEST_Brisba ne_Asteroid_2012_DA_14_finder_chart _courtesy_Simone_Corbellini.png

I'd like to know exalty where to point my telescope. Thanks.

[icytailmark]

will there be any live streaming on the internet of the asteroid tonight?

[steve000]

http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2013/02/samford-astronomer-comes-to-nasas-rescue.html

Johnathan bradshaw a local will be doing it if its clear

[AstroJunk]

Gotcha!!!!

http://youtu.be/mFV8ID-1sAE

Thank goodness for that - I have some NASA footage in the bag :D

[AstroJunk]

My broadcast is here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ajs-night-sky

between clouds...

[steve000]

Yea im debating should I go out or not. Gratz on the nasa gig :) fingers crossed all goes well for you and the rest of us up at that time.

No chance I could join ya? no is an acceptable answer :)

[AstroJunk]

Thanks Steve. Its a weight-off to get some live footage out, and the NASA team are happy that they have something for the show. The other players hopefully will do well and get plenty of material which is better, but at least we have something!

Terry C is swinging around about 3am to set up for a Carina nebula shot, and there is room for another...

[steve000]

its all cloudy from my POV at bald hills, Ill just enjoy your live stream which is FANTASTIC by the way!

that little thing is really hauling a$$

[AstroJunk]

It's beginning to get intense! I can't move from the desk for more than 30s at a time..

I've been live on NASA TV for a long while - Dave and Rick must have issues...

[steve000]

Looking at star charts its only gonna get faster. peaking between 4:and 4:30. Good luck.

If i were you id hardly be able to contain my excitement and nervous levels if NASA wanted me to live stream something.

[AstroJunk]

This is mad - Terry is outside, but i have to run just to say hi in between movements and I have nearly .4 degree of field !

And to think its been raining for 3 days!

[Dennis]

Fantastic effort and fabulous results Jonathan. Thanks for the live views!:thumbsup:

Cheers

Dennis

[steve000]

Does anyone know if our southern radio scopes are gonna ping it to image it or are we just leaving that till is passes over USA.

[steve000]

You guys ok?

[COSMOPARADISE]

Here in surfers it cleared up beautifully around 4 and using satflare I was able to find DA14 next to southern pleides and follow it till 4:29 and through vela. I used my 12" dob and it shined brightly and seemed to have an off grey colour. Beautiful experience, but for a sore back now from contorting to get the best view.

[AstroJunk]

It was a pleasure :)



The high power radar is being trained on it in the northern hemisphere



You bet - just come off a New York Science show, and am not long for joining NASA TV