Asteroid 1997 NC1 to Pass Earth This Weekend, Visible With Telescopes
8 reported
The European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed that asteroid (152637) 1997 NC1 will make its closest approach to Earth this weekend, the first such pass in 400 years. There is no risk of impact, but the asteroid will be visible through commercial telescopes and astronomical binoculars from various parts of the world. The closest approach occurs on Saturday, June 27, at 11:14 UTC, when the asteroid will pass 2.56 million kilometers from Earth. The object, with a diameter estimated between 700 meters and 1.6 kilometers, will not come this close again until 2133, according to the ESA. The asteroid will be too faint to see with the naked eye, appearing as a small point of light moving slowly among the stars. Viewing conditions vary by region, and the Virtual Telescope Project is hosting livestreams on June 26 and June 27.
What’s reported
The European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed the asteroid's closest approach in 400 years.
The closest approach occurs on Saturday, June 27, at 11:14 UTC.
The asteroid will pass 2.56 million kilometers (1.59 million miles) from Earth, equivalent to 6.6 times the Earth-moon distance.
The asteroid's diameter is estimated between 700 meters and 1.6 kilometers.
It will not come this close again until 2133, according to the ESA.
The asteroid will be impossible to see with the naked eye; it will reach a brightness close to magnitude 10.
It will be visible through commercial telescopes with an aperture of at least 100 millimeters or 15 x 70 astronomical binoculars.
The Virtual Telescope Project is hosting livestreams on June 26 and June 27.
Key figures
European Space Agency (ESA) — confirmed the asteroid's approach and provided estimates.
Sources: Wired
