An exciting very close pass of a Near Earth Asteroid for observers in the northern
hemisphere awaits Monday and Tuesday nights; NEO 2009 DD45 will skim within 0.0003 AU of
the earth during the early evening hours of March 1 (2nd UT) and will attain a brightness
of at least mag. 10.8, perhaps brighter.
This object is moving incredibly fast, so charts and preparations will be necessary to
even keep up with it telescopically as it moves rapidly north and east each hour.
For full details and ephemeris information, click:
www.cfa.harvard.edu/mpec/K09/K09D80.html
Remember that all times (in decimal days) listed for the object on that link are in Universal Time, NOT local time.
For details on the exact elements to enter into any PC or GO TO program, use the MPC
Ephemeris service at:
www.cfa.harvard.edu/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html
This is an incredible opportunity to witness a very, very close pass of a dangerous NEO
toward Earth.
Have fun!
Dr. Clay
  