Asteroid Makes a Pass at Earth Next Week
November 4th 2011 05:36
Category: Cosmic Objects
Art concept image not draw to scale
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Discovered in 2005 asteroid 2005 YU55 will pass by the Earth in the early evening on November 8th. Observers on the east coast of the US may catch it although you will not be able to see it unless you have a telescope.
The asteroid will very faint and will be moving very rapidly across the evening sky. The asteroid has a dark charcoal surface making it even more difficult to spot. Any chance of seeing it with the naked eye will be minimal.
2005 YU55 will pass by at a safe distance away from Earth at 325,000 kilometres about the same distance as the Moon is to Earth. 2005 YU55 poses no threat to Earth at this time.
2005 YU55 is about 350 meters in length and is part of it is part of a group of 1200 large asteroids orbiting the Sun.
Asteroids of this size can be potentially hazardous. In 1976 a large asteroid of similar size passed by Earth. No one was aware of it until it went by virtually unnoticed.
The asteroid's next closest approach to Earth is set to take place in 2094, at a distance of 269,000 kilometres, according to current predictions. This will be the second “close” encounter with a large asteroid in last 30 years.
Asteroids of this size gives us valuable information on their composition. It also gives us a better understanding on how to deal with a future Earth collision. There is no doubt we be
struck by a medium size object in the next 70 years.
Every day a mind boggling 200 tons of space debris impacts Earth, thankfully most of the meteorites burn up in the upper Earth’s atmosphere. It is only a matter of time until we will be struck by a large object and I am not referring to the 2012 doomsday asteroid.
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A useful website for space objects predictions click this link
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Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by CMoreStars
Astroearth
Camera Sense
Hi S.L.
You don’t seem to be getting too many breaks as far as viewing conditions.
We are having problems with cloud cover down under. We are approaching our wet season
here at my location nightly making a little difficult.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief