PLANETARY DEFENSE MISSIONS

MISSION 2011AG5

Asteroid 2011AG5 is a near-earth asteroid, which measures around 150 meters in diameter. It will come within five lunar distances of Earth on February 3rd. The asteroid is expected to have a peak magnitude of 14.3. Asteroid 2011AG5 will be visible with an eVscope around the world as it approaches before quickly dropping in brightness. Be sure to check it out between January 28th and February 3rd!

To observe your target:

Follow the HowTo Guide for B. The target is not in the Unistellar app’s database.

You will find this target in the Moving Target Ephemeris. Choose your location and when you want to observe to get started.

One observation is enough.

MISSION 2005YY128

Asteroid 2005YY128 is a near-earth asteroid, with an estimated diameter of  800 meters. At it’s closest 2005YY128 will be only 12 lunar distances away. The closest approach is predicted to occur on February 16th. An impact from an asteroid of this size would be locally devastating but is not an existential threat. It pays to be cautious though! 2005YY128 will be visible between February 9th and February 16th in the southern hemisphere and the northern mid-latitudes.

To observe your target:

Follow the HowTo Guide for B. The target is not in the Unistellar app’s database.

You will find this target in the Moving Target Ephemeris. Choose your location and when you want to observe to get started.

One observation is enough

MISSION 1993VB

Asteroid 1993VB is an approximately 500m diameter near-earth asteroid. It will have it’s closest approach on February 21st at 17 lunar distances from Earth. At the time of writing this asteroid was last observed in 2015, so this is a good chance for us to learn more about it! 1993VB will be visible in the northern hemisphere between February 18th and February 27th.

To observe your target:

Follow the HowTo Guide for B. The target is not in the Unistellar app’s database.

You will find this target in the Moving Target Ephemeris. Choose your location and when you want to observe to get started.

One observation is enough.