the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, tonight, skywatchers have a rare chance to spot a massive asteroid passing by Earth — close enough to be seen with binoculars. Asteroid 877 Alinda, measuring 2.6 miles wide (about the width of Manhattan), will be visible near the constellation Gemini.
But don’t worry, “close” in astronomical terms is far from dangerous.
How Close Is the Asteroid?
Asteroid 877 Alinda made its nearest approach to Earth on Wednesday, coming within 7.6 million miles. For context, that’s more than 30 times the distance from the Earth to the Moon.
Amie Gallagher, director of the Planetarium at Raritan Valley Community College, reassures:
“It’s not completely unusual for asteroids to be near the Earth. Something 7.6 million miles out is many, many, many times farther away than the Moon. No cause for alarm.”
Best Time and Place to Spot the Asteroid
Tonight offers prime viewing, as 877 Alinda will reach its peak brightness at magnitude 9.4. However, spotting it won’t be easy, even under ideal weather and light conditions.
Where to Look:
- Start with Orion:
- Locate the winter constellation Orion.
- Follow the top star of Orion’s belt to Betelgeuse (the left shoulder).
- Move Toward Gemini:
- From Betelgeuse, trace a straight line to the constellation Gemini.
- The asteroid will appear below the star Pollux.
Alternatively, you can use Mars as a reference point, as it’s also passing through Gemini.
For Easier Viewing:
If hunting for the asteroid feels too challenging, you can catch a live stream of 877 Alinda via the Virtual Telescope Project, offering a comfortable and reliable way to see the event.
What Are Asteroids?
Asteroids are irregular pieces of rock left over from the formation of the solar system. Unlike planets, which are spherical due to their gravity, asteroids tend to have uneven, potato-like shapes.
Key Terms:
- Asteroid: Large rocky bodies in space, sometimes as wide as a city or larger.
- Meteoroid: Smaller fragments of rock, often from asteroids.
- Meteor: A meteoroid entering Earth’s atmosphere, creating a “shooting star.”
- Meteorite: A meteor that survives the atmosphere and lands on Earth.
About Asteroid 877 Alinda
Discovered in 1918 by Max Wolf at the Heidelberg Observatory, 877 Alinda is part of the Alinda group of asteroids. It won’t return to our cosmic neighborhood for another 62 years, so tonight is a rare chance to witness this celestial visitor.
Asteroids: The Solar System’s Leftover Crumbs
The solar system is filled with asteroids — debris left from its formation. While most reside in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, many solitary specimens, like 877 Alinda, orbit closer to Earth.
“Earth shares its orbit around the sun with many asteroids. So we’ve got company,” says Gallagher.
Why This Matters
Asteroids remind us of the dynamic nature of our solar system. While they often inspire awe, their historical impact (like the one that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs) also underscores their significance in Earth’s history.
Don’t miss tonight’s celestial show — grab your binoculars or tune in online for a rare glimpse of asteroid 877 Alinda!
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