Potentially Hazardous Asteroid (99942) Apophis: updates (8 Jan. 2013)

by Gianluca Masi · 01/08/2013

Potentially hazardous asteroid (99942) Apophis

At about 36 hours from the minimum distance (15 millions of km from the Earth) , potentially hazardous asteroid (99942) Apophis was imaged again with the Virtual Telescope, this time using the 17″ robotic unit. The mount tracked Apophis, so the object looks as a perfect point of light, while the stars are trailing on the background. An exposure of 6 minutes was used.

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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