Asteroid 2005 YU55 near Earth November 8
November 3, 2011 -
On November 8, 2011 the asteroid 2005 YU55 will come within about 325,000 kilometers (202,000 miles) of Earth's center. This distance is about 85% of the distance between Earth and Moon. Asteroid 2005 YU55 will be far enough from Earth that the close approach will not endanger Earth in any way. The close approach will however offer astronomers an excellent opportunity to study an asteroid at close range.
The orbit of asteroid 2005 YU55 crosses Earth's orbit regularly, which allows for the possibility of a collision on another orbit. Its orbit has been calculated accurately for the next 100 years and 2005 YU55 will not collide with Earth during that time. That is fortunate. According to an article in the November 2011 issue of Sky and Telescope magazine an impact with 2005 YU55 would release in the range of 100 times as much energy as a large hydrogen bomb - equivalent to several thousand tons of TNT.
Unlike most asteroids, which are irregularly shaped, 2005 YU55 is very nearly spherical. 2005 YU55 is about a quarter of a mile in diameter. Its surface is carbonaceous meaning it is covered with carbon and carbon containing compounds. Carbonaceous meteorites have been found to contain amino acids and other organic compounds. It would be interesting to know if 2005 YU55 were similar.
During its closest approach 2005 YU55 will pass through the great square of the constellation Pegasus. Despite its very close proximity to Earth asteroid 2005 YU55 will not be visible to the naked eye. Because it is fairly small and has a dark carbonaceous surface, 2005 YU55 will be about 50 to 100 times too faint with to see with the naked eye. As astronomers measure brightness, it will be magnitude 11.2. Amateur astronomers owning moderately large telescopes can see it. The November 2011 issue of Sky and Telescope magazine has a finding chart for 2005 YU55 on page 53. The asteroid will be distiguishable from faint stars in the field because it will move across the eyepiece field at a noticeable rate.
No comments:
Post a Comment