An asteroid the size of the Titanic will whiz past Earth on Saturday. Here’s how to spot it
independenttribune.com2 days ago
The asteroid impact was only the beginning... of the end.
An asteroid will whiz harmlessly past Earth this weekend. With the right equipment and timing, you just might spot it.
Called 2024 MK, the space rock will make its closest approach to Earth Saturday morning, passing by at about three-quarters the distance from Earth to the moon. It was first spotted two weeks ago by a South African observatory and is about 393 feet to 853 feet wide.
Smaller objects shoot past Earth all the time, according to asteroid expert Davide Farnocchia with NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies. Asteroids the size of this latest one fly by about every 25 years or so.
“We’re going to see a few of those during our lifetimes, but it’s not something that happens every other day,” he said.
In this artistic rendering, two asteroids fly past Earth. An asteroid that will whiz harmlessly past Earth is called 2024 MK and will make its closest approach to Earth at 9:46 AM EST Saturday, passing by at about three-quarters the distance from Earth to the moon.
A 7,579-foot asteroid flew safely past Earth on Thursday, but it was farther away and was only visible to professional telescopes.
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For Saturday, skywatchers will need to grab a small telescope since the asteroid isn’t bright enough to be seen with the naked eye. And it’ll be moving quickly across the southern sky, making it difficult to spot.
“The asteroid will be plowing through that field of stars,” said Nick Moskovitz, an astronomer at Lowell Observatory.
Viewers in the Southern Hemisphere will have the best chance of seeing it since the asteroid will appear higher overhead. Those in the U.S. may want to wait until Saturday night, when the asteroid may appear less bright but will be easier to spot without interference from the sun’s blinding light.
If you miss out, mark your calendar for April 13, 2029, when an asteroid called Apophis will fly by Earth and will be visible to the naked eye from parts of Europe, Africa and Asia.
Meteorological events to look for in 2024—and where best to see them
Meteorological events to look for in 2024—and where best to see them
People have looked at the sky for millennia in awe of all the celestial wonders happening above. Even today, with advanced technology and a more nuanced understanding of our solar system and the galaxies beyond, we continue to look to the sky with a great sense of fascination. The most anticipated celestial event of 2024 is the total solar eclipse on April 8. Much of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada will be in the path of totality, meaning people in the right place will see the moon perfectly lined up in front of the sun, leaving a shaded circle of the moon and only the outer aura of the sun. The last total solar eclipse was Aug. 21, 2017. Many people marked the occasion by going outside wearing eclipse glasses and bearing witness to the remarkable event. But stargazers don't have to wait until April for exciting occurrences in the upper atmosphere. Many thrilling astral events will happen throughout the year, many of which do not require special equipment to view. What is the most essential thing to do to increase the chances of a good view? Find a place with dark skies or at least a sky some distance away from the light pollution in cities. Stacker sourced information from NASA, weather channels, and astronomy sites to list 2024's most notable astronomical events in chronological order to help people plan their sky viewing for the year.
Aug. 12, 2024: Perseids meteor shower
The Perseid meteor shower is visible every summer, and 2024 will be no different. It occurs when Earth's orbit goes through the debris a comet left behind. The moon's brightness is the most important factor in being able to see the meteor shower clearly; when the moon is dim, the sky is darker, making the Perseids easier to see. On Aug. 12, 2024, the moon will be at half-brightness during the peak of the Perseid meteor shower. It'll create the best time to see these meteors light up the sky when it sets around midnight UTC.
Aug. 19, 2024: Supermoon
Ever look at the moon and note that it seems bigger than usual? Four full moons in the fall of 2024 will appear larger than life because the moon will have moved closer to the Earth than at any other time during the year. The moon orbits around Earth in an oval shape. When it hits perigee, that is, its closest approach to Earth, it'll also be at its fullest, known as a supermoon. Those who miss the supermoon on Aug. 19 will have a second chance to see another one during later lunar cycles on Sept. 18, Oct. 17, and Nov. 15 in 2024.
September-October 2024: Will Comet C/2023 A3 shine bright?
The biggest mystery of the stargazing world may be answered in the fall of 2024: Will a newly discovered comet shine bright, or will anticipation for this event go bust? Comet C/2023 A3 was first spotted in late 2022 and early 2023. Scientists determined the comet takes 80,000 years to complete an orbit around the sun. According to their estimates, it'll reach its closest point to the sun on Sept. 28, 2024. With any luck, the comet will be bright enough to be visible to people in the southern hemisphere without any equipment through the month of September. By October, the comet will pass the sun and may become visible to people in North America by Oct. 11 or 12, 2024. Scientists need more data about Comet C/2023 A3 to be sure, so for now, the comet remains a bit of a mystery.
Oct. 2, 2024: Another solar eclipse
For those who didn't get enough excitement from the total solar eclipse in April, a second solar eclipse will occur on Oct. 2. This time, people in South America will get the best show. The path of totality crosses over at the very bottom of Argentina and Chile. For people who don't plan to travel to remote areas of southern Argentina and Chile, a partial eclipse will be visible in North and South America.
Dec. 13, 2024: Geminid meteor shower
Every December, the Geminid meteors return to fly across the night sky. The annual Geminid meteor shower is a great event for new skywatchers to view because it's one of the most reliable annual meteor showers. With clear and dark skies, about 120 meteors per hour are typically visible when the Geminids peak. The meteors usually appear yellow and move quickly across the sky.
All year: Increased aurora activity
2024 will likely be the best year to check viewing the northern lights off bucket lists. Scientists say increased solar activity is likely to peak in 2024, which means the aurora borealis could be visible more often than in years past. The best opportunities to see the effects of a stronger solar cycle should occur from January to October, especially around the spring and fall equinoxes. Although the northern lights may be strong enough to be visible in parts of the contiguous U.S. occasionally, stargazers' best bet is to travel further north. Northern destinations such as Fairbanks, Alaska; Yellowknife, Canada; and Nordic countries offer the best opportunities to see beautiful green and red hues dance across the night sky. Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.