The massive near-Earth asteroid, (887) Alinda, will be visible from Earth this weekend in a rare astronomical event. Stargazers can witness this extraordinary sight using basic stargazing equipment or through a free online livestream.
Figure 1: The Alinda asteroid (Credit: Eyes on Asteroids/NASA/SWNS) won’t come near Earth again until 2087.
Alinda Asteroid Makes Rare Close Approach
The Alinda asteroid, measuring approximately 2.6 miles (4.2 km) wide, will be making its closest approach to Earth in decades. This mountain-sized space rock last came this close in the 20th century and will not return until 2087.
Astronomer Gianluca Masi from the Virtual Telescope Project explained that Alinda would peak in brightness at a magnitude of 9.4, which will not be visible to the naked eye but can be seen with stargazing binoculars or a backyard telescope.
When and How to Watch the Asteroid
The asteroid 887 Alinda will be most visible on Sunday, 12 January. It will move through the constellation Gemini, visible in the Northern Hemisphere just after sunset and staying in view all night.
For those without stargazing gear, the Virtual Telescope Project will host a free livestream on its official YouTube channel starting at 12:30 p.m. EST on 12 January.
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How Rare Is This Event?
Astronomers describe Alinda’s flyby as a “once in a decade” event. The asteroid is among the five largest to pass within 9.3 million miles (15 million km) of Earth before the year 2200.
Could Alinda Cause Harm?
While the asteroid 887 Alinda is massive enough to cause catastrophic damage if it collided with Earth, experts confirm it poses no threat. NASA assures that no known asteroid, including Alinda, will come close enough to impact Earth for at least the next century.
However, due to its size, Alinda earns the classification of a “planet killer.” If it ever veered toward Earth, the damage could be devastating. This potential danger drives space agencies to continue developing planetary defence strategies.
Planetary Defence and Asteroid Deflection
NASA recently tested the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) mission, proving that deflecting an asteroid by crashing a spacecraft into it is possible. This groundbreaking test successfully altered the trajectory of a test asteroid, showcasing the potential to prevent future asteroid collisions.
Experts believe deflecting a large asteroid like Alinda would likely require launching hundreds of rockets to break the space rock into smaller, less dangerous pieces. They also emphasise the importance of advance notice, potentially requiring years or even decades of preparation for a large-scale defence mission.
China plans to launch its own asteroid deflection mission by 2030, further contributing to global planetary defence efforts.
More Stargazing Events to Watch
Alinda’s flyby is just the beginning of an exciting month for astronomy enthusiasts. On Monday, 13 January, the full Wolf Moon will rise near Mars. Mars will slip behind the moon for four hours, creating a rare occultation event visible with stargazing equipment.
From 21 January, a stunning planetary alignment will occur, with Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn visible to the naked eye. Uranus and Neptune will also be visible with telescopes, and Mercury will join the parade in early March.
Why Alinda’s Visit Matters
The visibility of asteroid 887 Alinda offers both a spectacular sight and a reminder of the importance of monitoring near-Earth objects. Events like this inspire both curiosity and scientific advancements in space exploration and planetary defence.
Whether watching through binoculars or tuning into the livestream, the Alinda asteroid presents a rare chance to witness a piece of our solar system’s history. Don’t miss this incredible celestial event!
