Asteroid sweeps close to Earth

The evening of Friday 15 February will see Asteroid 2012 DA14 passing within just 27,700 km of Earth. A special evening has been organized in the Blaauw Observatory at the University of Groningen for those keen to witness the event.

Asteroid 2012 DA14 is approximately 45 metres in diameter and weighs around 130,000 tonnes. It is the largest object in the last hundred years to pass so close to Earth. 2012 DA14 is too dim to see with the naked eye, but will be visible to anyone with a telescope or good binoculars. People will be able to follow its path quite clearly as it speeds through the stars. Telescopes will be trained on the asteroid, which is due to appear above the horizon in the Netherlands at around 8.45 p.m., for the entire evening.

For more information. zee website.

The Blaauw Observatory is located in the Bernoulliborg (Nijenborgh 9) on the Zernike complex, which is in the northern part of Groningen city. Buses stop right outside the Bernoulliborg. The observatory will open at 8.30 p.m. Admission is free and you do not need to register in advance.

More information: Marlies van de Weijgaert (Outreach coordinator Blaauw Observatory)