Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (99942) Apophis: getting closer (5 Jan. 2013)

by Gianluca Masi · 01/05/2013

Potentially hazardous asteroid (99942) Apophis

The Virtual Telescope is continuing tracking the interesting and famous potentially hazardous asteroid (99942) Apophis. It will reach a distance of 15 millions of km from the Earth on Jan. 2013, with no risks at all to collide with our planet.

The image above was taken with the 14″ robotic unit, with the mount tracking the apparent motion of the object, giving trailed stars.

On 10 Jan. 2013, at 01:00 UT, and 21 Jan. 2013, at 22:00 UT, the Virtual Telescope will offer free, online and live observing sessions to show Apophis to the public. Do not miss it!

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