Near Earth asteroid 2012 KP24

ricci · #1 26-05-2012, 06:21 AM

Today has been discovered a new Earth criossing asteroid that will transit near the Earth.
On day 28th May 2012 at 14.57 UT will be at only 0.00038 A.U. from us.
Its diameter is about 26 meters. It will be of magnitude 12.

www.pierpaoloricci.it/news_eng.htm

Dennis · #2 26-05-2012, 08:59 AM

Thanks Ricci - that will be a close encounter indeed!

Cheers

Dennis

madbadgalaxyman (Robert) · #3 26-05-2012, 10:40 AM

An asteroid impact can really "spoil your whole day".
The ultimate "Bad hair day"?

Dennis · #4 26-05-2012, 12:47 PM

Hmm, it looks like this NEO will only be appox 13 deg altitude from Brisbane on Mon 28th May.

Cheers

Dennis

anthony.tony · #5 26-05-2012, 02:01 PM

If you down load the right elements you can track it on Stellarium.-- Tony

Suzy · #6 26-05-2012, 06:59 PM

If my math is correct (okay I'm the worst at math so hubby did it) that looks like it's 57,000 km away- as close as the geosync satellites.

I don't think there's any need for concern though right.. I'm sure we get these regularly.

Or... do I have a packet of Disprin ready for Monday.

AstroJunk (Jonathan) · #7 29-05-2012, 09:28 PM

http://youtu.be/fX1Ou9TNb4o

I managed to get a few minutes of the little beast. Very variable in brightness, so must have been an irregular tumbler. It was so low that my OTA ended up hard against the base of my fork mount causing me to have to watch it drift off heading North!

Less than perfect weather conditions down at 13degrees made it a little blurry too, but I'm happy to have seen it at all...

astroron (Ron) · #8 29-05-2012, 10:50 PM

Good capture Jonathan,

Cheers

tonybarry (Tony) · #9 29-05-2012, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AstroJunk

http://youtu.be/fX1Ou9TNb4o

I managed to get a few minutes of the little beast. Very variable in brightness, so must have been an irregular tumbler. It was so low that my OTA ended up hard against the base of my fork mount causing me to have to watch it drift off heading North!

Less than perfect weather conditions down at 13degrees made it a little blurry too, but I'm happy to have seen it at all...

Hi Jonathan,

Good to see somebody got a look in at the NEO. It was not visible from Down Here in Sydney. Which scope did you end up using? As I recall, the house is North of your obs. (?)

Regards,
Tony Barry
WSAAG

AstroJunk (Jonathan) · #10 29-05-2012, 11:49 PM

Well remembered Tony!

It was with the 14" in the observatory which, as I have now found out, can reach +47 in Alt before the tube strikes the fork base. As I was in the house (it was way too cold for me to venture down the slope!) I don't know how much, if any, roof was in the way - I may check it out in the warmth of the day this weekend.

I was chuffed to find it, at mag 13 it should have been easy but the height and general conditions made the process much harder to a point where it came into view just a few mins before sliding too far North. As such I didn't get second shot an our or so later to make a good astrometric measurement, but with it being fast moving, I may have useful data for the MPC anyway.

Suzy · #11 30-05-2012, 12:57 AM

Wow!!!

That was my first viewing of an asteroid video- and what a great capture of it!
I was completely mesmerised from start to finish. I can't believe how fast it travelled.

Boy, I'm speechless after watching that.

I have to share this on facebook with my astro buddies- I hope you don't mind.

Any moment now I'll pick my jaw up from the ground....

I think I forgot to mention you're a legend...

AstroJunk (Jonathan) · #12 30-05-2012, 01:03 AM

Your way too kind Suzy!

You are right though, these close up ones do move quickly. To find them, to have to get very accurate co-ordinates directly from the Minor Planet Center, then pre-point the scope and wait. Any miss pointing then it just sails on by...

Suzy · #13 30-05-2012, 01:33 AM

Hey Jonathon I was watching some of your other videos, what a fantastic collection you've got there on youtube. And! I got to see for the first time thanks to one of your vids, the 2004 Venus Transit. And going by those other vids, boy... you like chasing those asteroids don't you- okay, I see now why you're named the Shadow Chaser... it all makes sense now...

I loved that 24hr sky vid too!

Dennis · #14 30-05-2012, 04:58 AM

An excellent capture of quite a difficult object Jonathan. Trees blocked our view so thanks for the on-line view!

Cheers

Dennis

big_dav_2001 (Davin) · #15 30-05-2012, 09:04 AM

Excellent view Jonathan..

Your other videos are amazing also, thanks for the great view

Dav

Suzy · #16 30-05-2012, 01:46 PM

Look at what I came across today...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/47602867.../#.T8WRm1LU2So

Quote:

The recently discovered asteroid 2012 KP24 measures about 69 feet (21 meters) across and did not pose any threat to Earth during its flyby, NASA scientists said.
But this space rock is not the only one that paid a close visit to our planet this week.
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Another small asteroid, called 2012 KT42, flew past Earth early Tuesday. The asteroid came within 8,950 miles (14,400 km) on its closest approach, which easily fits between the Earth and moon's orbit. For comparison, the moon typically circles Earth at a distance of about 240,000 miles (386,000 km).
While asteroid 2012 KT42 was only discovered yesterday, the space rock did not pose any impact threat Earth when it made its closest approach at 3:07 a.m. EDT, NASA scientists said.