Near Earth Asteroid 2004 XP14

[Dennis]

Hi

I just read on Spaceweather.com that the large Near Earth Asteroid 2004 XP14 will make an exceptionally close approach to our planet, passing closest to Earth at 04:25 UT on July 3, just beyond the Moon's average distance from Earth. It should be visible in our Southern skies on the morning of Sunday, 2nd July 2006.

I downloaded the minor planet details into The Sky Pro V6 and plotted a chart for July 2nd, 3:30am, showing the path up to 6:30am. Unfortunately from my place, trees block this region of the sky so unless I pack up and go somewhere else, I’ll miss this opportunity. At 3:30am the altitude will be 15 deg; at 5:00am it will be 30 degrees above the horizon.

Magnitude estimates seem to vary from mag 15 to 12? Good luck to anyone who tries for this fella!

Cheers

Dennis

Useful links:
http://spaceweather3.com/
http://www.space.com/spacewatch/060629_night_sky.html

[Lester]

Hi Dennis,

There was a very, very short segment on it with the TV news last night. Said it was passing at 400,000 kilometres.

[Argonavis (William)]

Dennis

My CdeC is telling me that it will be visible in the same area of sky on the morning of the 3 July, rising at 2.30am and being visible until twilight, before heading rapidly north and disappearing from our latitude. It will also be brighter at about VMag 13 or so, rather than 14.5 on the morning of the 2nd.

I understand that it will be about mag 11 on closest approach, however that will be during the late evening of the 3rd (AEST) when it will below the horizon, at +68 degree declination.

It will be a sleep sucking faint horizon hugger.

[CoombellKid]

I read that also in our lil old bush paper yesterday, oh my the Northern Star
is getting with the times. But I think she might be a lil tough in a 8" newt
under these jetstreams, even in rural skies.

Edit: btw, thanks for the chart... I'm hoping for a shot at some observing
tonight, if the jetstreams settles a bit. If I'm up I'll give it a go. It looks
from your chart you will almost see it moving, that would be something to
see, Pitty the Moon wasn't around there, that could of been interesting too!

regards,CS

Rob

[Dennis]

Just though that I'd mention that on the cropped screen capture that I posted, the small red dot just to the right side of the 4:15AM time stamp, is the minor planet Ceres. Should be easy to spot I reckon.

Cheers

Dennis