I have posted a finder chart on the club’s Facebook page for the asteroid, 2005 YU55. The finder chart is for observers in Hamilton and was made using Project Pluto star charting software. You can access the chart by clicking on the title of this blog entry.

YU55 is a 400 meter wide asteroid that will be passing between the Earth and our Moon this evening. The asteroid will be about 11th magnitude and moving very quickly. It will not be visible to the naked eye or in binoculars. In a telescope, it will appear like a point of light moving slowly against the background stars. To see the movement, you will need to watch its position change over time – it won’t be moving as fast as artificial satellites appear to do.

If the weather co-operates (!!) I hope you all have a chance to watch or record this exciting and rare event.