Probably you've all heard about this by now. If not, ...
The Asteroid 4179 Toutatis will make a "close" approach to Earth in
about a week -- where close is about 1 million miles. Unfortunately,
at closest approach, it will be visible only from the Southern
hemisphere, however...
Apparently, you can see this piece of rock in the next few days before
it goes too far south. Right now, it is just off the left coast of the
great bikini bottom ;-) Tonight it should be pretty near M30, if you
know what I mean, and I think you do. Moving faster each night as it
just skirts the left edge of Capricornus and then down into
Microscopium. It is supposed to be about Mag 10 now, brightening to
Mag 9 at best.
Finder charts are available in the September S&T and the October
Astronomy magazines. Also in their respective on-line pages; e.g.,
http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/asteroids/article_1336_1.asp
Joe Bob says: "Check it out"!
Received on Mon Sep 20 15:08:53 2004