(SNES) Anyone for 2002 NY40?

[Albireo54@aol.com]

Hi all,

An article on NASA's website today discussed the just discovered asteroid 
2002 NY40 - which will whiz by the Earth on the night of 8/17 - 8/18 at a 
distance of only 450,000 miles or so. It is expected to briefly reach 
magnitude 9.1 - well within reach of any telescope, and it will be moving so 
fast (6 to 8 degrees per hour) that an observer will actually be able to 
watch it gliding along in front of the background stars. (It will cover an 
area equal to the Moon's diameter in about 5 minutes!)

The article can be read at:

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2002/30jul_ny40.htm

A "3D" orbital simulation can be viewd at another NASA's site:

http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/orbits/

There you can also download a detailed ephemeris, specific to your location.

The 17th is a Saturday night, so I hope many can get out (either to FDO or 
otherwise) to enjoy this show. I've only actually been able to see the direct 
motion of one previous asteroid, and can tell you it's well worth the effort. 
 :o)

Good luck!
Doug Stewart
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