On the evening of Tuesday, the 8th of November, the asteroid 2005 YU55 will pass fairly close to our Earth, at 202,000 miles. This is actually closer than our own Moon, but will still be a clean pass and represents no threat. Nor, as some have speculated, will it hit the Moon. This visitor will be at its closest at 6:28PM ET, not long after sunset locally.
Trying to chase the asteroid, though, might be a challenge. It is dark, about the color of asphalt. It is estimated that at its brightest, it will be 11th magnitude, much dimmer than an unaided eye can see; a telescope is needed, and one that is larger than 5 inches in aperture (though seasoned observers can probably go down to 3 inches). If you could see it, though, its movement across the night sky would be amazing, moving very much like a high, slow satellite.
There are two resources you can use to try to view 2005 YU55. Wikipedia has updated their page on the asteroid, complete with a chart showing its path -
Also, Duluth based photoeditor and amateur astronomer Bob King has posted a better chart, complete with times, though you need to keep in mind that he is further north and it is central time -
In the meantime, going to try to setup a couple of cameras and hope the weather cooperates. There will be a waxing gibbous Moon, fairly bright, and it could interfere. Still, the opportunity to chase down a rock longer than an aircraft carrier as it zips by, closer than our own Moon, is very tempting.
