David's Astronomy Pages (Solar System) Near Earth Asteroids

Planets

Solar System

Home Page

Comets & Meteors

Object	Notes
2007 TU24 - 1.4 LD (Jan 2008) 2006 GY2 - 6.7 LD (May 2006) 2007 XH16 - 8.1 LD (Dec 2007) 2006 VV2 - 8.8 LD (Mar 2007) 2005 WJ56 - 10.9 LD (Jan 2008) 1992 UY4 - 16 LD (Aug 2005) 1685 Toro - 76 LD (Jan 2008) 37655 llapa - xx LD (Aug 2003)	This page summarises observations and images of passing near-Earth asteroids (NEAs).   Minor planets are listed in order of closet distance from earth at around time of image.

2007 TU24 - 1.4 LD (Jan 2008)

This 10m diameter asteroid passed by earth today (2008-01-31) at a distance of 1.4 LD (lunar distance).

Near Earth Asteroid 2007 TU24   (passing through starfield in Ursa Major)

Annotated CCD Image  7 frames, 15s exposure, at 5 minute intervals  (av. combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter 2008-01-31 21:35 to 22:05h UT (#259070-147)

Annotated CCD Image  84 frames, 15s exposure (av. combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter 2008-01-31 21:32 to 22:05h UT (#259064-147)

Back to Top

2006 GY2 - 6.7 LD (May 2006)

2006 GY2  - Minor Planet   (passing through star field in Ursa Major) [ This asteroid of c. 800m diameter passed by earth  on 2006-05-16 at 6.7 Lunar Distance (LD) ] Asteroid appears trailed due to its  rapid relative motion  (~ 20 arc sec/min)

Annotated CCD Images 60 sec exposure, 2x2 binning, C Filter Top : 2006-05-13 00:23h UT (#126127) Bottom : 2006-05-13 00:54h UT (#126155)

CCD Image Composite showing motion of 2006 GY2 over a 40 minute period

Annotated CCD Image - Negative 19 x 60 sec exposure (average combine), with 60 sec gaps , 2x2 binning, C Filter 2006-05-13  00:21h to 01:01h UT (#126125-61)

CCD Image Composite showing path of 2006 GY2 over a 40 minute period

Annotated CCD Image  37 x 60 sec exposure (average combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter 2006-05-13  00:21h to 01:01hUT (#126125-61)

Back to Top

2007 XH16 - 8.1 LD (Dec 2007)

2007 XH16 is a 565m diameter asteroid which passed by the earth on 2007-12-24 at a distance of 8.1 lunar distance (LD). A sequence of images of 2007 XH16 were recorded streaking through a star field in Aries

MPL 2007 XH16 passing through star field in Aries Asteroid appears as a 30 arc sec streak in this 30 sec exposure

CCD Image  30 sec, 2x2 binning, C Filter 2007-12-25 00:24hUT (#246134)

MPL 2007 XH16 - showing motion across star field in Aries

Stacked CCD Image  10 x 30 sec exposures with 45 sec gaps between frames  (sum combine),  2x2 binning, C Filter 2007-12-25 00:21 to 00:32hUT (#246129-47)

MPL 2007 XH16 - showing rapid motion (1.0 arc min per minute)

Annotated CCD Image  30 sec exposures with 45 sec gaps between frames Image details as above

CCD Image Animation  30 sec exposures / 20 frames   2x2 binning, C Filter 2007-12-25 00:21 to 00:33hUT (#246129-48)

Back to Top

2006 VV2 - 8.8 LD (Mar 2007)

Images taken of 2006 VV2 on 2007-04-01, shortly after it passed by earth on 2007-03-31 at a distance of 8.8 LD (lunar distance).
The slight wobble in the trace of MPL 2006 VV2 is due to small residual periodic error of +/-2.5 arc secs in the LX200 scope, as shown by simulation 
[ Re-Analysis of images of MPL 2006 VV2 taken 2007-04-01 (S187),  Simulated Trace with Periodic Error,  2007-05-24 ]

Back to Top

2005 WJ56 - 10.9 LD (Jan 2008)

2005 WJ56 is a 1.2km  diameter asteroid which passed by the earth on 2008-01-10 at a distance of 10.9 lunar distance (LD). A sequence of images of 2005 WJ56 were recorded as it passed by.

2005 WJ56 passing through star field in Eridanus Showing motion over an 18 minute period

Annotated CCD Image  30 x 30 sec, 2x2 binning, C Filter 2008-01-11 20:33 to 20:51hUT (#252176-205)

2005 WJ56

CCD Image  (Image details as above)

Earlier image of 2005 WJ56  passing through star field in Auriga (2008-01-07) Asteroid appears as a ~ 10 arc sec streak in this 30 sec exposure

CCD Image  30 sec, 2x2 binning, C Filter 2008-01-07 00:24hUT (#251159)

2005 WJ56 - showing motion across star field in Auriga

CCD Image Animation  9 frames (out of original 18 frames) 30 sec exposures, with 35 sec gaps     2x2 binning, C Filter 2008-01-07  22:11 to 22:22hUT (#251155-72)

Back to Top

1992 UY4 - 16 LD (Aug 2005)

1992 UY4  (passing through starfield in Aquarius)  showing 22 arc minutes motion of asteroid over a 70 minute period

CCD Image Montage Top Left : 120 sec exposure.  Centre : 45 x 20 sec exposures  (1 min intervals).   Bottom Right  :  9 x 20s exposures 2005-08-05  23:28h UT to 2005-08-06  00:38h UT(#90023-86)

1992 UY4 (Estimated Magnitude +13.1)

CCD Image 20 sec exposure (clear filter) 2005-08-06  00:05 h UT(#90059)

(Click here to show 1 MB Animation)

1992 UY4 Orbital Path 1992 UY4 will approach to 16 LD (Lunar Distance) from Earth on 2005-08-08 It has a diameter of 0.8-1.9 km (physical data)

Back to Top

1685 Toro - 76 LD, Jan 2008

1685 Toro is a 6.2km  diameter asteroid which is passing by the earth today (2008-01-24) at a distance of 76 lunar distance (LD). A short sequence of images of shows its relatively rapid apparent motion.

1685 Toro passing through star field in Cetus

CCD Image  15 x 20s exposure (average combine), 2x2 binning, C Filter 2008-01-24 19:30hUT (#257067-81)

1685 Toro - detail

CCD Image 15 x 20s exposure (aligned on asteroid)   2x2 binning, C Filter 2008-01-24 19:30hUT (#257067-81)

Back to Top

37655 Illapa - Aug 2003

Illapa  (moving into Aquarius) Composite image recorded over 2 hours  showing Illapa's rapid movement of 3.87 arc min per hour due to its close distance to Earth, 0.117 AU from Earth

CCD image,  108 x 60 sec exposures (summed) 2003-08-09  01:12 to 03:19h UT (#50049-152) 11.4 x 7.6 arc mins

Animated sequence of CCD Images showing movement of Illapa (37655)  click on image below to run animation

60 sec exposures 2003-08-09  01:08 to 03:16h UT (#50048-150)

Illapa (37655)  (crossing through Ophiuchus)

Animated sequence of CCD images,   60 sec exposures at approx 6 minute intervals over 40 minute period. Minor planet recorded as moving across celestial  background at 1.25 arc min per hour 2003-08-03  01:20 to 02:00 h UT (#47162 and others)  8.5 x 5.7 arc mins

Back to Top

Links

Minor Planet Checker
MPchecker ; http://scully.harvard.edu/~cgi/CheckMP

Back to Top