Astronomy enthusiasts have the opportunity to witness the near-Earth asteroid (433) Eros as it approaches the Andromeda Galaxy on November 30, 2023. The event will be streamed live by the Virtual Telescope Institute in collaboration with the Asteroid Foundation, starting at 3 p.m. EST (20:00 GMT).
The livestream will feature expert commentary from Gianluca Masi, founder of the Virtual Telescope Project. He will provide insights as viewers observe both Eros and the Andromeda Galaxy through the organization’s robotic telescopes, located in Manciano, Italy. This viewing event is contingent on weather conditions, which can impact visibility.
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 (Messier 31) is a precious opportunity to share both the importance of these kinds of minor planets and the beauty of our cosmic neighbor.”
Eros, first discovered in 1898, was the inaugural near-Earth asteroid identified. It was later visited by NASA’s NEAR (Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous) Shoemaker spacecraft, which achieved the historic feat of landing on the asteroid on February 12, 2001. As Eros passes, it will be approximately 37 million miles (60 million kilometers) from Earth, while Andromeda remains a distant 2.5 million light-years away.
As Eros approaches, it will shine at around magnitude 10 for several weeks, making it visible even with modest telescopes. Masi noted, “Thanks to its large size, Eros will shine at around magnitude 10 for several weeks, making it easily observable even with a modest 60 mm telescope.” Magnitude refers to the brightness of celestial objects, with lower numbers indicating brighter appearances.
For those wishing to view this cosmic event, both Eros and Andromeda will be positioned high above the eastern horizon shortly after sunset on November 30. Locating the constellations Cassiopeia and Andromeda will help guide stargazers to their destination. Using star-finding apps can aid in identifying these constellations before honing in on Andromeda.
This event represents a unique opportunity not only to observe a significant asteroid but also to appreciate the vastness of our universe. For those interested in enhancing their stargazing experience, a selection of high-quality binoculars and telescopes is available, perfect for exploring the night sky throughout 2025.