Rosetta Earth Swing

www.rssd.esa.int/index.php?project=ROSETTA&page=Earth_Flyby

On 04 Mar 2005, the European comet mission Rosetta will swing-by our planet Earth. It will come as close as 1900 km to the surface, at 22h10m UT. It will approach from away from the sun and have its closest approach shortly after 22h UT, on the illuminated side of the Earth. Rosetta approaches us from an area in the border between the constellations Leo and Sextans, visible almost all night from the northern and most of the southern hemisphere. It should become visible in large amateur telescopes around 26 Feb 2005, when it reaches a brightness of 18 magnitude.

On the evening of the closest approach, it will move away from the constellation Sextans after sunset and move towards the direction of the sun, crossing the complete sky. Europe is favorably placed to follow this event. It will move faster and faster towards the west, disappearing on the horizon around 22 h UT (23 h CET). The latest magnitude estimates unfortunately indicate that Rosetta will not become visible to the naked eye in Europe, as Rosetta will stay around 10000 km away until it disappears behind the horizon. It should reach about magnitude 8 to 9.

The latest magnitude estimates unfortunately indicate that Rosetta will not become visible to the naked eye in Europe, as Rosetta will stay around 10000 km away until it disappears behind the horizon. It should reach about magnitude 8 to 9.

Still, something a 4.5 inch reflector should easily see. Something that a smaller scope e.g. a Skylux or ETX-70 may find difficult to spot unless you have the scope pointed at an exact spot on the celestial sphere and wait your turn for it to whizz by.

Al, wouldn't this have made a great IFAS Observing Challenge with a webcam, like your ISS Challenge??



Seanie.