Asteroid 2004 XP14 on Close Approach to Earth

Hi all,

Got the below from a BAA electronic bulletin of whom I a member:

On the nights of 3rd and 4th July 2006 Apollo asteroid 2004 XP14 will make a close approach to the Earth. The motion of this asteroid should be visible when viewed with a medium sized telescope (typically a 10in/25cm reflector).
At this magnitude it presents no problem to CCD imagers - except keeping track of the object that is!
The closest approach to the Earth will be at 4:44 UT on 3rd July. At this time the asteroid will be just 268,873 miles from the Earth - not much further than the distance to the Moon.

>From Europe the asteroid is best viewed on the night of the 3rd/4th July when it will be approximately 12th magnitude passing through the constellation of Draco. Its motion is quite rapid - around 1 arc min per minute. Finder charts are available on the ARPS website at homepage.ntlworld.com/roger.dymock/index.htm I
would strongly recommend accessing the Minor Planet Ephemeris Service at
cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/MPEph/MPEph.html for updated orbital elements
and an ephemeris immediately before this event.

Thanks

Neill

Hhmm... I know you mentioned the scopes within range... I wonder if its pass will be noticeable in a 12" Dob's field of view? 1 arcminute per minute should be noticeable alright I reckon. What do others think? What about Dave Mac, the apparent asteroid specialist here?

Thanks for the heads-up Neil.

That should be noticeable, especially if it passes any nearby stars.

If its clear, that will be easily noticable, thanks for the heads up.

Anyone try to get a glimpse of the pass? Cloudy all night, despite the haze lifting since late evening.

not only was it cloudy, it was raining to.