Greetings fellow astrophiles!
As many, many news sources have reported, asteroid 2005 YU55 is making its closest approach to us tonight at 23:28 Universal Time (6:28 p.m. EST), where it will be flying through Delphinus, grazing Equuleus, and settling into Pegasus for a several hour stay. Darling Hill Observatory will open tonight in an attempt to see this 1/4 mile long object as it approaches within 85% of the distance between the Earth and the Moon.
NOTE 1: This is will be a dim object, visible as a pinpoint of light at even high magnification. Large binoculars and +6″ scopes are required to observe this object at all.
NOTE 2: The Moon is 96% full tonight, which may aid in complicating the hunt for this dim object. If you’re attempting to find this object yourself, some high-quality star charts will make your life much easier.
Some sources of info:
* www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/home/133013563.html
* en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_YU55
* www.astronomy.com/en/News-Observing/News/201/11/Asteroid…8.aspx
Darling Hill Observatory Should Be Open By 5:30 p.m. If you can’t make this one, consider it’s next closest approach in 2041!