Is there a section of sky where there are typically asteroids found?

[Manok101]

That is essentially the question, I realize that they will not even show as much detail as any of the planets, or even their moons, but I thought it'd be fun to hunt anyway.

[John]

This web site gives the positions of a few of the brighter asteroids along with comets and satellite pass overs:

http://www.heavens-above.com/

You need to register (free) and input your location to get accurate data / maps.

[glowjet]

As it happens the subject of asteroids crops up in this months S@N issue. It would seem NASA are wanting to recruit amateur astronomers around the world to turn their scopes on certain asteroids in connection with their OSIRIS-REx mission which is due to launch in 2016. As you have a 10" GT you should be able to see these pin points of light, which are in the most part mag 9 and smaller and this is for the large ones. As John pointed out you can find the location of six of these in Heavens-Above.com and you can dial in their co-ordinates to put them into your field of view, but as far as I understand you really need to take some images over a few nights to make sure you have the right pin point of light, as this will move in relation to the stars, fascinating stuff, I do not have a scope suitable and I think also our typical British weather will put the jinx on making repetitive observations to successfully track such celestial objects, but if you have the interest, I would certainly give it a try

John.

[glowjet]

Just to make it interesting, it would seem 4 Vista and Ceres are both to reach opposition next month around the 9th Dec, Vesta will reach mag +6.4 and Ceres mag +6.7 both should be visible, weather permitting, with binoculars. Thanks to S&N, who have published details of how to locate them in next months Dec issue. If you do not subscribe, then location details can be had through the Heavens -above web site

John.

[Phil Fargaze]

They will be found generally along the ecliptic, so this time of year is a good time to start hunting them down. I am waiting for the skies to clear so that I can find (704) Interamnia which is at opposition on the 15th November in Perseus and at mag 9.9.