This is mostly for myself, although if any of you have a telescope it will be useful to you too.
Near-Earth object - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
4179 Toutatis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Toutatis makes frequent close approaches to Earth, with a currently minimum possible distance (Earth MOID) of just 0.006 AU (2.3 times as far as the Moon).[1] The approach on September 29, 2004, was particularly close, at 0.0104 AU[13] (within 4 lunar distances) from Earth, presenting a good opportunity for observation, with Toutatis shining at magnitude 8.8 when brightest.[2] A more recent close approach of 0.0502 AU (7,510,000 km; 4,670,000 mi) happened on November 9, 2008.[13][5] The next close approach will be December 12, 2012, at a distance of 0.046 AU (6,900,000 km; 4,300,000 mi),[13][5] and at magnitude 10.7.[14] At magnitude 10.7, the asteroid will not be visible to the naked eye, but may be visible to experienced observers using high-end binoculars. By the middle of May 2012 the asteroid will become brighter than magnitude 19.5
Now I just need to figure out where to find it
Ok, got it imported to Stellarium. Too bad I didn't know about it in May though
Oh, and this:
"The Chinese lunar probe Chang'e 2 departed from the Sun–Earth L2 point on April 15, 2012 and is en-route to the asteroid. The spacecraft is expected to make a flyby of 4179 Toutatis on December 13, 2012.[18][19]"
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