First we shook and shook some more over the weekend.  Monday brought storms to our area that are normally associated with Spring.  Now today an Asteroid?  Yes.  But don't run to the bank and withdraw your life saving s or go out and try to complete you bucket list.  The Asteroid in question  2005 YU055 will be visible this evening between 5 and 6 pm.  with the optimum time being around 5:28pm.  And there is the factor of speed.  It will be traveling at 29,000 mph so it will go quickly.  And you will need a strong telescope to see it.  It is rather large.   Too put it into perspective her is an image from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab.

2005 YU55
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Now think about the size they have said this asteroid is.  It is equivalent tot he size of a US Navy Aircraft carrier as seen here.

USS George Washington CVN-73
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So the length of an Aircraft Carrier is just shy of 1100 feet, they are 252 feet wide and as tall as a 13 story building.  Or if you prefer to think about it this way, she is 4 1/2 acres.  Any way you look at it, this Asteroid is BIG!  Not to worry in the close proximity to Earth.  It will only get a close as 200,000 miles.  A bit closer than our moon at 238,000 miles.

Scientist's  are excited to catch a glimpse of the Asteroid to see if it will be feasible in years to come to possible use them as stepping stones or watering holes for planned travel to Mars and beyond.

Will you bee looking tonight or is it just another scientific fad to pass?

 

 

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