Asteroid 4 Vesta Capture

[martinastro]

Last night (May 13/14th) at approx 02.20 BST I imaged Minor Planet 4 Vesta as a bright star like object at magnitude + 5.7 located in southern Ophiuchus above mighty mag - 2.5 planet Jupiter in the south. It was an easy and glorious sight! I have marked its position on the images however the high res verisons are much more distinct. I also caught a faint meteor trail near the asteroid on another image (not included here). Jupiter, Antares and a naked eye asteroid in the same area - what a show. Everyone should get a look at Vesta when they get the chance, this is the best apparition in years.

15 sec exp at ISO800.

[Paul Evans]

That's excellent work Martin! I've never seen an asteroid before - perhaps this is my chance! It's not angled well from here mind.

Clear skies,

Paul.

[Administrator]

Will definitely try and get a look Martin, excellent capture.

[martinastro]

Thanks Paul and Robert. I hope you get a look at it soon.

Here's a link to a S&T article and finder chart.

skytonight.com/observing/highlights/Vesta_at_Its_Brightest.html

[martinastro]

Last night (May 17/18th) I took a few more images of Mag + 5.6 asteroid 4 Vesta when it was well placed in the south within Ophiuchus. It is located near the Scorpius border and to the NE of Mag - 2.5 Jupiter. Vesta could easily be seen in 10X50mm binoculars and was very easy with the naked eye. It reaches perihelion at months end and a its greatest magnitude for years to come. Hard to believe that naked eye star is a 500KM asteroid!

15 sec exp at ISO800. Asteroid marked by red lines....