If Pluto is no longer a planet, how can we keep calling asteroids "minor" planets.
The Draconid meteor shower is expected to peak saturday mostly Europe though. The radiant is near the head of Draco. Is Comet Elenin part of the Draconds? Minor planet 2005 YU55 is set to make a close flyby of Earth the evening
of Tuesday 8 November. Closest approach occurs about 17:00 MST when it will be about 315,000 km out, mag ~11 and ripping across the sky at 515"/min. But at that time the Sun will have not quite set here in Utah.
Fast forward to 22:00 MST and the sky will be dark but 2005 YU55 will be about 60 degrees above the SW horizon and still zipping along at a respectable 300"/min.
Unfortunately the nearly full Moon will be about 40 degrees to the east.
Hmmm, and I just noticed the remains of the recently broken up Comet Elenin will be about half way up the eastern sky.
Now if only the weather will cooperate.
patrick _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy Visit the Photo Gallery: http://www.slas.us/gallery2/main.php