[BAA-ebulletin 00627] Asteroid 2005 YU55 close approach update

[BAA electronic bulletins service]

(Further to BAA e-Bulletin 00625 of Nov 1)

Yesterday evening (UK time) astronomers using NASA's Deep Space Network 
antenna in Goldstone, California captured new radar images of Asteroid 2005 
YU55 approaching the Earth. The images were taken about 19:45 UT on November 
7 when this very dark object was still some 3.6 times the distance of the 
Moon away. Details can be found at:

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/asteroids/main/index.html
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/asteroids/news/yu55-20111107.html

NASA scientists will continue to track 2005 YU55 for at least four hours 
each day until November 10. Radar observations from the Arecibo Planetary 
Radar Facility in Puerto Rico will begin on November 8. The object will make 
its closest approach to Earth on November 8 at 23:28 UT at some 324,600 km 
or 0.85 the distance from the Moon to Earth.

Although UK observers are well placed to watch the last few hours of its 
approach, the weather prospects here are pretty dire for the entire country. 
However there are two 'live' broadcasts being organised via the Slooh 
organisation which you may be interested in. Details are at the Slooh 
website / Twitter at:

http://events.slooh.com
http://twitter.com/#!/Slooh

In particular, two "radio shows" are planned for tonight (8th/9th), the 
first at 21:00 UT will hopefully show live images of 2005 YU55 using the 
Slooh Half-Metre telescope on Mount Teide, Tenerife, weather permitting; the 
second, at 02:00 UT (on the 9th) will be using Slooh's partner's 24" 
telescope based in Arizona.  Both shows will be hosted by Bob Berman of 
Astronomy magazine.  Dr. Robert McMillan (2005 YU55's discover) will be 
appearing as a guest during the first show. There is a possibility that, as 
the BAA's Asteroids and Remote Planets Section Director, I may also take 
part on the first radio show from 21:15 UT.

Richard Miles
(arps [at] britastro.org)