On November 30, 2023, the near-Earth asteroid (433) Eros will make a notable appearance as it passes within two degrees of the Andromeda Galaxy. This event will be live-streamed by the Virtual Telescope Institute, offering viewers a chance to witness the celestial encounter from the comfort of their homes.
The livestream is scheduled to commence at 3 p.m. EST (2000 GMT), featuring expert commentary from Gianluca Masi, founder of the Virtual Telescope Project. The event will provide live views of both Eros and Andromeda, captured by the organization’s robotic telescopes located in Manciano, Italy, weather permitting. Masi highlighted the significance of this event, stating, “Having such an important near-Earth asteroid just a couple of degrees away from the legendary Andromeda Galaxy is a precious opportunity to share both the importance of these kinds of minor planets and the beauty of our cosmic neighbor.”
Eros, discovered in 1898, holds the distinction of being the first near-Earth asteroid ever identified. It was later visited by NASA’s NEAR (Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous) Shoemaker spacecraft, which made history by performing the first successful landing on an asteroid on February 12, 2001. On November 30, the asteroid will be approximately 37 million miles (60 million kilometers) from Earth, while the Andromeda Galaxy sits at a distance of about 2.5 million light-years from our solar system.
Eros is currently expected to shine at a brightness of around magnitude 10, making it observable with relatively modest equipment. Masi noted that even a small telescope with an aperture of 60 mm will suffice to view the asteroid. The magnitude scale is used by astronomers to indicate the brightness of celestial objects, where lower values represent brighter objects.
For those eager to catch a glimpse of the asteroid as it traverses the night sky, both Eros and Andromeda will be high above the eastern horizon shortly after sunset on November 30. Observers can use the Cassiopeia constellation as a guide to locate the Andromeda Galaxy. A star-finding astronomy app can assist enthusiasts in identifying the uppermost three stars of Cassiopeia, which can then be used to navigate towards Andromeda.
As the event draws near, many enthusiasts will prepare their equipment, including telescopes and binoculars, to participate in this cosmic event. A variety of options are available for both novice and experienced stargazers, ensuring that many will have the opportunity to engage with this remarkable astronomical occurrence.
The collaboration between the Virtual Telescope Institute and the Asteroid Foundation highlights the growing interest in public participation in astronomy, demonstrating how technology can enhance our understanding of the universe.
