2012 DA14

[imatfaal]

I am struggling to find consistent information about where to look in the sky this evening for a chance to see the Neo (I am in outer London on northeast). Between Leo and the Plough seems the most regular advice from 8pm - but that's a big space and an uncertain time. I have tried pasting the orbital elements into fourmilab yoursky without success

 

Any clues - preferable a sky map with a nice line drawn on it?

[D H]

From Asteroid 2012 DA14: Observing Prospects and How to See It:

 

A good search strategy to catch 2012 DA14 is to actually to treat it like you’re hunting for a faint satellite. Find the time that it’s crossing a set declination and begin scanning with binoculars in right ascension back and forth until you “ambush” your astronomical prey moving slowly against the starry background. If using a telescope, use the lowest power and widest field of view that the instrument will allow.

[imatfaal]

Perfect just what I wanted. The linked page Heaven's Above had a map even I could customise and read. Thanks.

 

Clear Blue sky at present - fingers crossed and various optics at the ready.

[imatfaal]

Sky is still clear and darkening rapidly - nearest approach is in 90 mins and we should be able to start seeing in UK about an hour after that.

[LaurieAG]

I am struggling to find consistent information about where to look in the sky this evening for a chance to see the Neo (I am in outer London on northeast). Between Leo and the Plough seems the most regular advice from 8pm - but that's a big space and an uncertain time. I have tried pasting the orbital elements into fourmilab yoursky without success

 

Any clues - preferable a sky map with a nice line drawn on it?

 

Don't be surprised which direction they come from imatfaal.

 

The Russian meteorite came from east to west and 2012 DA14 was supposed to go from south to north.

 

http://www.today.it/mondo/cuba-meteorite.html

http://thewatchers.adorraeli.com/2013/02/16/in-last-2-days-fireballs-were-reported-all-over-the-world-sweden-netherlands-russia-japan-cuba/

http://thelatestworldwidemeteorreports.blogspot.com.au/http://thelatestworldwidemeteorreports.blogspot.com.au/

 

One came over where I live from west to east around the time 2012 DA14 was supposed to pass by.

 

Report them if you do see any.

Edited February 16, 2013 by LaurieAG

[imatfaal]

full cloud cover by 1930z and didnt see a single star all night - let alone DA14