2005 YU55 can we see it ?

[spaceboy]

Sorry if this has already been asked but should we have a break in the cloud is there much chance of getting to see it ? I take it we will only be looking for a rock with out a trail as it's not bouncing of our atmosphere but I'd like to give it a go if it's possible ??? and where should I be looking ??

[nicnac]

cloud for me so no.

it is said that it is going to be low on the horizon and shifting at some speed so tracking should be interesting if you can spot it

[Superewza]

I would have said no anyway, isn't it only a mag. 11?

[nicnac]

something like, i have read it would be a difficult one

[George]

Probably a 6" newt upwards would show it, with the exception of the far north of Scotland the whole of the UK is cloud bound....nothing new there on special astro occasions

[LukeSkywatcher]

Ive also read that you need at least a 6" scope to have any chance of seeing it......let alone tracking it.

[spaceboy]

Never mind. I doubt there will be a break in the clouds anyway but was trying to be optimistic

[cantab]

Yeah, decent telescope to see it. Also the further south you are the better.

I'd hazard a guess that for those who do manage to see it, it would be one of the smallest objects they'll ever see, after man-made satellites and meteors.

[palebluedot]

I looked at the chart on this page earlier City-Block-Size Asteroid 2005 YU55 to Buzz By Earth Today | Near-Earth Objects | Asteroids, Comets & The Solar System | Space.com and it looks like it will be too low west for me. Its peeing down anyway, so that's academic.

[Woking]

S@N quoted 150cm min

[lukebl]

It will be possible to catch it tomorrow night, when it will be high in the sky and there may be clear skies in parts of the UK, although at 12th magnitude and close to the bright moon it's likely to only be the imagers who catch it. Here's an animation of its location from 1800 to 2400 tomorrow night (click on the image to make the animation work).

[king-jaffethehutt]

chucking it down in Manchester