Waspie_Dwarf Posted September 10, 2013 #1 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Huge Asteroid 324 Bamberga Makes a Return Visit to Earth’s Neighborhood on Friday the 13th This week offers a fine chance to catch sight of a unique asteroid.324 Bamberga reaches opposition this week in the constellation Pisces on (friggatriskaidekaphobics take note) Friday the 13th at 2PM EDT/16:00 Universal Time. About 230 kilometres in size, 324 Bamberga reaches 0.81 astronomical units from the Earth this week. No other asteroid so large gets so close. Read more... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Merton Posted September 10, 2013 #2 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Interesting object, although I wouldn't call .81 AU close, at least in human terms. That's strikes me as almost certainly further than Venus and Mars sometimes are, or did I misunderstand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie_Dwarf Posted September 10, 2013 Author #3 Share Posted September 10, 2013 or did I misunderstand? No you didn't, but it is close for an asteroid of that size. All comparable sized asteroids (excluding trans-Neptunian objects obviously) are in the main belt, so can never get closer than 1-3 au depending on where they are in the belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Merton Posted September 10, 2013 #4 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Sounds like a candidate for a visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waspie_Dwarf Posted September 10, 2013 Author #5 Share Posted September 10, 2013 Sounds like a candidate for a visit. We might have to wait a while. The article says that it only reaches a favourable opposition every 22 years. As we've missed this chance it looks like 2035 will be our next opportunity. I'll be 69 by then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now