Update on 2005 YU55
Update:
I got a call from the GRAS observatory down-under in Australia. They were very helpful in getting our images of 2005 YU55 out of the GRAS database in New Mexico. After we got the processed images back, the dashed—line was in fact a solid streak across the sky, just as we suspected it would be. We took two(2) 180 second exposures: the first was at 8:22pm and the second at 8:37pm Mountain Standard Time. We were lucky enough to capture a few galaxies as well (they are the fuzzy dots).
- 3 minute exposure taken at 8:22pm Mountain Standard Time
- 3 minute exposure taken at 8:37pm Mountain Standard Time
Both YU55 exposures with sky overlapping
Since YU55 is traveling at 8.53 miles per second (13.72km/s). So one exposure of 180 seconds captured the asteroid traveling 1,535.4 miles, which is approximately the distance from South America to Africa. That’s a spicy meatball.
Note:
Everyone is comparing this rock to an aircraft carrier. Well most people don’t really understand how big an aircraft carrier is. So how about this: The diameter of YU55 is 400 meters, while the Empire State Building is only 381 meters (to the roof). See infographic
I had a blast with this assignment, and look forward to more chaos….in doses.
Ryan
Curious image of 2005 YU55 from Earth
My colleagues and I, at the University of Northern Colorado, captured a picture of asteroid 2005 YU55 at 8:35pm MST with a GRAS telescope at the New Mexico observatory. We used a 3 minute exposure with a Right Ascension = 22.53 and Declination = +17.22.
Curious image of YU55
Our initial excitement was promptly followed by being perplexed. What you would expect from an asteroid traveling at 8 miles per second is a streak across a starry sky. Instead we have a dotted line. My professor is puzzled, and so are we. Later I found this update from the GRAS site, it means we’re not alone in this observation:
“Initial amateur reports of 2005 YU55 indicates it may be rotating, the asteroid dims and brightens with a periodicity of around 30 sec or so.” original link
Here is a nice amateur footage of YU55:
It was truly a thrill being able to locate and capture an object in the sky as rare as this. A carbonaceous rock as round as the Empire State Building is tall zipped by–closer than our moon. We are lucky to have an image of it and we are really lucky it wasn’t any closer to Earth. Our image of YU55 is curious, if anyone knows an explanation please comment. I enjoyed today’s events and hope that the cosmos remain a thrill….and not a threat.
Ryan
2005 YU55
2005 YU55 is a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA) that will pass close to Earth tonight. The asteroid is rounded, traveling at 29,000 miles per hour and approximately 400 meters across. If it hit Earth, it would have lasting effects. No worries though:
Source: SPACE.com: All about our solar system, outer space and exploration
Also:
Animation: Flyby of the Earth and Moon
According to NASA, “The closest approach to Earth and the Moon will be respectively 0.00217 AU and 0.00160 AU on 2011 November 8 at 23:28 and November 9 at 07:13 UT.”
So on November 9 at 3:20 UT my team will be attempting to photograph the asteroid via telescope in New Mexico. If you live in the Northern hemisphere, you should attempt to witness history. ”The 2011 encounter is the closest to Earth for at least the last 200 years.” JPL
Asteroid 2005 YU55
How to see 2005 YU55 when it passes Earth on November 8 and 9
List Of The Potentially Hazardous Asteroids (PHAs)
Translate your time zone to Universal Time
Ryan
Ancient Astronaut Theory
Ancient Mesopotamian Seal
If you are not yet acquainted with Ancient Astronaut Theory, buckle up. Ancient Aliensis a show that airs on the History channel, and it provides the most exciting investigations into ancient mysteries that I’ve found. It is truly a revolutionary way of thinking, but it requires an abandonment of what we know to be true. These theories are interesting and deserve serious consideration from the scientific community, especially because it asks the questions that mainstream scientists avoid. Why do we avoid the unknown? Because it’s scary. It’s scary to travel down a path where answers may never be found, but it’s the journey that excites us. Remember though, just as our ancient ancestors misinterpreted what they saw…so do we. Ancient Astronaut Theory deserves our speculation and our skepticisms, because that is how we will be able to find truth in mystery. Most of all though, these theories deserve our respect…for asking the questions, the scary unknowns, is something that not every mind is capable of. Let us be willing–so that one day we may be ready for truth, because the truth is a beautiful reality.
The Holy Bible
The Holy Bible is a truly magnificent artifact. It’s a book of Earth. Whether you take the stories of the Bible literally, figuratively or with a grain of salt…it has hundreds of years of mankind’s involvement. I think it’s important, whether a person is religious or not, that we take the time to know our past. Anyone can benefit from the wisdom this book carries, along with many other sacred texts, and we can learn so much if we read them in the right light.
This is a searchable online Bible in over 100 versions and 50 languages.
Greetings
The information on this site is questionable, that is, it raises more questions than answers. Take the facts that are given and question them, question everything. There are so many possible answers out there, and we are just beginning to look for them. Now is the time to be open-minded but skeptical at the same time. Don’t take my word for anything, I’m just the one who shares what I find and I urge others to do their own research as well. If we can pull together rational thought & intuition then truth might be found for the most interesting questions…as well as those that have yet to be asked.
`Ryan