Observation by Nick James: Lucy in the sky part 2

Uploaded by

Nick James

Observer

Nick James

Observed

2021 Oct 25 - 21:38

Uploaded

2021 Oct 25 - 22:25

Objects

Spacecraft

Planetarium overlay









Constellation

Pisces

Field centre

RA: 01h10m
Dec: +06°31'
Position angle: +1°28'

Field size

0°27' × 0°20'

Equipment
  • ASI6200MM + Celestron HD11
Exposure

32x60s

Location

Chelmsford, UK

Target name

Lucy Centaur upper stage

Title

Lucy in the sky part 2

About this image

This is an image of the Centaur upper stage which launched the Lucy spacecraft 9 days ago (see my earlier image here). It is varying between around mag 19.5 and 20.5 and it is currently 4.5 million km away. I think this is the furthest away man made object that I have ever imaged. The stage is 3m in diameter by 12.6m high.  It and the spacecraft will come back for an Earth flyby in a year's time.

The field is near the ecliptic and there are several asteroid trails visible too.

 

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