I am wondering if anyone would like to head out observing on Tuesday the 1st of November? With the near earth asteroid passing close to Polaris I would like to get away from Dublin and attempt to image it. I know that it is a work day, but this is a rare opportunity.
The weather looks like it will play ball and the winds will be light, so maybe the Sugarloaf as a location.
Let me know.
Paul
Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better programs, and the universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the universe is winning.
You can count me in, Paul.
Do we know what magnitude the NEA will be?
Are there any maps available?
And finally, what time should we meet at the Sugarloaf Car Park?
It seems like a runner.
Thanks for the heads up, Paul.
I put up a post in celestial events, Aubrey, there is a link that provides a printable chart. What time do you want to get together?
Paul
Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better programs, and the universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the universe is winning.
Thank you, Paul, for your reply.
I have just discovered that the asteroid will not bypass Polaris until 2 am.
Are you considering staying at the Sugarloaf until that hour?
Please come back to us about that particular question -then we can figure out what time we should meet up.
Thanks.
I plan to be there until 2am. What about 10 as a meet up time?
Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better programs, and the universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the universe is winning.
Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better programs, and the universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the universe is winning.
Excellent, Paul.
I have the back seats folded already.
All I need to do now is put the scope in.
I reckon 5 layers are required for the Sugarloaf.
Temperatures might reach 0 at this altitude.
But the weather looks good and clear.
My only concern is dew / fog.
Fat chance of a lie in, Aubrey, work calls, I suppose I can fall asleep somewhere and hope no one notices.
Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better programs, and the universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the universe is winning.
I have my maps done -thanks to Guide 8.
That took me a lot of time.
Anyway the scope is in the car.
Temperatures might be as low as -2 at midnight.
Perhaps other observers could report back tomorrow if they were successful spotting the Halloween Asteroid.
I know this is a long shot, Fermidox. But could you give us the designation of the 2 field stars?
Their designations probably begin with TYC.... I could then check Guide 8 for their positions.
But I have to say that if the 2 faint stars' magnitudes are 11.85, then our near earth asteroid must have been a lot fainter than 11.9 as in your image. Which might explain why it was not possible for me to see the Halloween asteroid even at the Sugarloaf on Tuesday night.
Thank you for any further info.
Thank you, Finbarr, for your totally correct information.
I have just found those 2 TYC stars on Guide 8.
By simply looking at your image, YT 1 was definitely far dimmer than what the experts stated.
Judging by your image, the asteroid might have been +13.
It would have been seriously difficult for me to see such a faint object.
What do others think?
Thank you again, Finbarr.
I am so very glad we have your image on record.
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