Pete_The_Prospector
Pete
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- Dec 13, 2012
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A large asteroid will fly really close by Earth February 15, near where the low Earth orbits (LEO) satellites typically fly. The asteroid called 2012 DA14 is about the size of a gymnasium. It will fly approximately 18,000 miles (28,500 kilometers) from Earths surface. Thats really close: By comparison, geostationary satellites used to transmit television signals to peoples homes orbit the Earth at about 22,000 miles (38,000 kilometers). However, scientists assure us that there is no chance of the asteroid hitting Earth. 
The asteroid will fly through the constellations Virgo, Leo, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
Because the asteroid will be traveling so fast and so near the Earth, it will be very difficult to view. 8) You would need a telescope in order to see it, but due to the asteroids speed it will be difficult to track the asteroid with the typical amateur telescope. In other words, even if you could find the asteroid in your telescope, the odds are it would move very quickly out of your field of view. But assuming you had a telescope with above average tracking ability then, those of us living from Eastern Europe to Australia, will have the only significant chance of seeing the asteroid as it will fly past us during our nighttime hours. Those of you in other parts of the world (such as North America, South America and Western Europe) are out of luck as the asteroid will fly by you during daytime hours.
Oops how did that get there
The asteroid will fly through the constellations Virgo, Leo, Ursa Major and Ursa Minor.
Because the asteroid will be traveling so fast and so near the Earth, it will be very difficult to view. 8) You would need a telescope in order to see it, but due to the asteroids speed it will be difficult to track the asteroid with the typical amateur telescope. In other words, even if you could find the asteroid in your telescope, the odds are it would move very quickly out of your field of view. But assuming you had a telescope with above average tracking ability then, those of us living from Eastern Europe to Australia, will have the only significant chance of seeing the asteroid as it will fly past us during our nighttime hours. Those of you in other parts of the world (such as North America, South America and Western Europe) are out of luck as the asteroid will fly by you during daytime hours.
Oops how did that get there
