Catch a Glimpse of the Massive Asteroid Zipping Past Earth This Weekend
It's not every day that you get a chance to witness a spectacular celestial event. This weekend, the sky watchers are in for a treat as an enormous asteroid is expected to fly by our planet. This asteroid, known as (152637) 1997 NC1, is making its nearest approach to Earth in four centuries. But don’t worry, it's not on a collision course with us. However, it will be observable with the help of commercial telescopes and astronomical binoculars from many places around the globe.
When and Where Can You See the Asteroid?
The asteroid will be at its closest to Earth this weekend. The exact moment of closest approach will vary depending on where you are. Here's a general guide:
What Will the Asteroid Look Like?
Although the asteroid is larger than a skyscraper, it's not possible to see it with the naked eye. It is expected to reach a brightness level similar to that of Neptune. Through a telescope or astronomical binoculars, it will appear as a tiny point of light moving slowly among the stars. Its movement will be roughly 40 arc seconds per minute, which means you will be able to notice the object moving if you watch it for a few minutes.
What Do You Need to Spot the Asteroid?
You'll need more than just your eyes to catch a glimpse of this asteroid. Even in the clearest night sky, the asteroid is 40 times fainter than the faintest stars visible to the human eye. Furthermore, the moon will be near full, reducing the contrast in the sky and making it harder to observe other objects.
The asteroid will be closest to the constellations Ophiuchus and Serpens Cauda, south of the bright star Vega. You can use astronomy apps to find its location in the sky by searching for “1997 NC1.”
Astronomers suggest using a commercial telescope with an aperture of at least 100 millimeters (4 inches) for the best view. However, models ranging from 150 to 200 millimeters would provide a much more comfortable viewing experience. You can also spot it with 15 x 70 or 20 x 80 astronomical binoculars, ideally mounted on a tripod and used from a location away from light pollution.
If the sky is cloudy or you don't own a telescope (or you'd rather watch the event from your couch), there's a project that is hosting livestreams that will track the asteroid.
It's not every day that you get a chance to witness a spectacular celestial event. This weekend, the sky watchers are in for a treat as an enormous asteroid is expected to fly by our planet. This asteroid, known as (152637) 1997 NC1, is making its nearest approach to Earth in four centuries. But don’t worry, it's not on a collision course with us. However, it will be observable with the help of commercial telescopes and astronomical binoculars from many places around the globe.
When and Where Can You See the Asteroid?
The asteroid will be at its closest to Earth this weekend. The exact moment of closest approach will vary depending on where you are. Here's a general guide:
- In Europe, it will be visible on the night of the weekend, especially in the early hours of the morning.
- For Mexico and the US, the best viewing conditions would be on the weekend night, preferably before sunrise.
- In Argentina and the Southern Cone, the best time to see it will be on the night following its closest approach, as it will have moved southward in the sky.
What Will the Asteroid Look Like?
Although the asteroid is larger than a skyscraper, it's not possible to see it with the naked eye. It is expected to reach a brightness level similar to that of Neptune. Through a telescope or astronomical binoculars, it will appear as a tiny point of light moving slowly among the stars. Its movement will be roughly 40 arc seconds per minute, which means you will be able to notice the object moving if you watch it for a few minutes.
What Do You Need to Spot the Asteroid?
You'll need more than just your eyes to catch a glimpse of this asteroid. Even in the clearest night sky, the asteroid is 40 times fainter than the faintest stars visible to the human eye. Furthermore, the moon will be near full, reducing the contrast in the sky and making it harder to observe other objects.
The asteroid will be closest to the constellations Ophiuchus and Serpens Cauda, south of the bright star Vega. You can use astronomy apps to find its location in the sky by searching for “1997 NC1.”
Astronomers suggest using a commercial telescope with an aperture of at least 100 millimeters (4 inches) for the best view. However, models ranging from 150 to 200 millimeters would provide a much more comfortable viewing experience. You can also spot it with 15 x 70 or 20 x 80 astronomical binoculars, ideally mounted on a tripod and used from a location away from light pollution.
If the sky is cloudy or you don't own a telescope (or you'd rather watch the event from your couch), there's a project that is hosting livestreams that will track the asteroid.