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Posts by
Eddie Irizarry
2001 FO32: Big asteroid sweeps closest this weekend
When the asteroid labeled 2001 FO32 sweeps closest to Earth on March 21, 2021, it'll be moving at such a fast pace that observers using telescopes might be able to detect its motion - its drift in front of the stars - in real time. Charts and info here.
March 19, 2021
Say goodbye to Earth’s mini-moon on February 1 and 2
In November, a new mini-moon began orbiting Earth. NASA later confirmed it's a lost-and-found 60s-era rocket from the Surveyor 2 moon mission, launched more than 50 years ago. Now the object - SO 2020 - is coming close again for one last time. Here's how to see it!
January 28, 2021
Is that a UFO?! There’s probably an explanation
Most Unidentified Flying Objects aren't actually unidentified. Here's a list of phenomena, either natural or human-made, that people often mistake for UFOs.
December 15, 2020
Astronomers reveal asteroid 2000 WO107 as a contact binary
Asteroid 2000 WO107 passed Earth safely on November 29, at 11 times the moon's distance. Astronomers at Goldstone bounced radar signals from its surface and discovered it's 2 asteroids that touched, and stuck.
December 1, 2020
This asteroid just skimmed Earth’s atmosphere
The asteroid - 2020 VT4 - is estimated to be between 16 and 36 feet (5-11 meters). It skimmed the top of our atmosphere on Friday, November 13, 2020. Astronomers spotted it one day later.
November 16, 2020
Comet C/2020 M3 (Atlas) is closest November 14
Discovered last June, Comet C/2020 M3 (Atlas) is closest to Earth - millions of miles away - on Saturday, November 14, 2020. It's in an easy-to-find location, if you have a dark sky. Charts and photos here.
November 14, 2020
Watch online today: Small, close-passing asteroid
Watch online today as asteroid 2020 SW swoops in for its closest approach to Earth on Thursday. The asteroid will pass just 7% of the moon's distance. Charts here for telescope users. How to watch online.
September 23, 2020
Asteroid 2011 ES4 will pass closest on September 1
The orbit of asteroid 2011 ES4 is still not entirely known. Our knowledge of it might improve sometime today - or early tomorrow - if it is "recovered" by astronomers. It's expected to pass within the moon's orbit, possibly as close as 0.19 lunar distances.
August 31, 2020
Arecibo Observatory damaged by broken lashing cable
The new damage to Arecibo, caused by the heavy cable, happened while repairs from 2017's Hurricane Maria were still ongoing.
August 12, 2020
Comet NEOWISE, the best comet of 2020
A few observers in the Southern Hemisphere are beginning to capture Comet NEOWISE, too. Charts here for seeing the comet in late July and early August.
July 27, 2020
