Asteroid 2012 BX34 to make closest approach in years.

This afternoon (Thurs 27th) at approx 4pm this 8-10m wide asteroid passes a mere 44,000miles (0.2 l.d) from Earth. This is as close as they get. Its been making the news today.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16756450

As usual Irish amateurs have been at the heart of the action as reflected on the most recent orbit; I'm surprised that only 4 observers were watching overnight.

www.minorplanetcenter.net/mpec/K12/K12B65.html


Sadly there is no further opportunity for involvement this far north as the asteroid was already rapidly heading south, sp we hand over to our friends in the southern hemisphere.

Here's a quick and very dirty animation of the frames which went into producing the observations contained in the above MPEC.



Dave,

Just read that BBC report. Welcome to the UK Dave :laugh:

seen that the day also , u can check it orbit hear it pretty close lol

ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2012%20BX34;orb=1

phoenix wrote: Just read that BBC report. Welcome to the UK Dave :laugh:

I've been called worse by that same gentleman Kieran :laugh:

The funny thing was I read the BBC report before I saw the MPEC. So the reference to the 3 UK observers didn't register until I saw the MPEC. I really thought there would have been loads of data reported last night. Just goes to show how important it is to take the opportunity to observe these things even with the sort of wind that was blowing last night.

I thought all involved would have been all over it given that the call went out for astrometry on MPML.

I've been called worse by that same gentleman Kieran

Last e mail I got from G was because I copy pasted a long list of obs but missed the COD line at top :blush:

Not sure what I was called but you can bet it would not appear on the BBC.

phoenix wrote: Last e mail I got from G was because I copy pasted a long list of obs but missed the COD line at top :blush:

Not sure what I was called but you can bet it would not appear on the BBC.

LOL Kieran. Last one I got was when I sent in a batch but misnumbered an NEOCP object. The usual excerpt from war and peace ensued!