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Virtual Telescope Project

Gianluca Masi

Gianluca Masi is an Italian astrophysicist and founder of the Virtual Telescope project (part of Bellatrix Astronomical Observatory), consisting in several robotic telescopes, remotely available in real-time over the Internet. Through this system, real-time, online observing sessions are performed, sharing the universe with the world. More than 1 million individuals each year observe the sky through the Virtual Telescope. Gian started his interest in astronomy at childhood, later becoming a professional astronomer, earning a PhD in astronomy in 2006. At the same time, he devoted a lot of efforts to science communication. The asteroid (21795) is named “Masi” in his honor.

The shattered heart of comet C/2019 Y4 ATLAS

Posted by in Astronomy Essentials | Today's Image | 3 months ago
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Gianluca Masi in Rome wrote: “Comet C/2019 Y4 ATLAS, the one we were hoping to see putting on a great show, has shattered both its and our hearts. Its nucleus disintegrated and Saturday night I could see 3, possibly 4, main fragments.”
Time-exposure image shows streaks of stars; the asteroid, which is being tracked by the telescope, appears as a point.

Meet 2020 AV2, the 1st asteroid entirely within the orbit of Venus

Posted by in Space | 6 months ago
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It’s difficult to see objects whose orbits are within that of Venus, because those objects always stay near the sun in our sky. Now, though, astronomers have spotted one!
Starry streaks, aka "star trails," can be seen in this long-exposure photo. The asteroid meanwhile appears as a single point, because it is so near us, and because the telescope is tracking the asteroid, not the stars.

Asteroid to sweep between moon and Earth tonight: How to watch online

Posted by in Astronomy Essentials | 9 months ago
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Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project in Rome said he just managed to capture an image of a small asteroid – labeled 2019 UB8 – coming very close on October 29, at about half the moon’s distance. Details here.
"Poster" for International Observe the Moon NIght 2019, showing the moon above Rome's skyline.

International Observe the Moon Night is October 5

Posted by and in Astronomy Essentials | Human World | 10 months ago
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International Observe the Moon Night is a worldwide celebration of lunar science and exploration, celestial observation, and our cultural and personal connections to the moon. In 2019, it comes on October 5. Here’s how to join in.

Watch online, as asteroid 2018 RC sweeps past

Posted by in Human World | Space | 2 years ago
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Asteroid 2018 RC will sweep past at about half the moon’s distance during the night of September 8, according to clocks in the Americas. Learn how to see it online.

8 planets in 1 night, from Rome

Posted by in Astronomy Essentials | Human World | 2 years ago
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“I have been thinking for decades about imaging 8 planets of our solar system in 1 night, from sunset to dawn. I imaged all of them from Rome, above the amazing monuments of the Eternal City.”

Moon and Mercury over Rome last night

Posted by in Today's Image | 3 years ago
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The moon and Mercury – innermost planet of our solar system – had a great meeting these past hours. Here, Gianluca Masi of the Virtual Telescope Project presents some shots capturing this exclusive show, hanging over the skyline of Rome.

Close pass from asteroid 2017 GM!

Posted by in Human World | Space | 3 years ago
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Asteroid 2017 GM is one of the 10 closest asteroids known so far to sweep past Earth, and then keep going. At its closest, it was less than 1/20th of the moon’s mean distance.

Asteroid close encounter on April 2

Posted by in Human World | Space | 3 years ago
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The near-Earth asteroid 2017 FU102 has a very close, but safe, encounter with Earth on April 2, 2017, sweeping to within just over half the moon’s distance.

Asteroid, discovered November 1, swept past

Posted by in Space | 4 years ago
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Astronomers discovered asteroid 2016 VA on November 1, 2016, just hours before it passed within 0.2 times the moon’s distance of Earth. Images here.