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How do I Find Asteroids?

Observing asteroids isn't any more complicated than taking out your telescope or binoculars and looking skyward. On occasion, asteroids pass extremely close to the Earth and can be spotted by the naked eye. Since asteroids do not stay in one place indefinitely, you need a way to locate them. Websites offer real-time asteroid coordinates and lets you know which ones are visible at your location. Knowing what asteroids look like from a distance will help you find them easier.

Things You'll Need

Coordinates of asteroid
Telescope

Instructions

- 1
  
  Websites offer real-time asteroid coordinates.
  
  Pick a website that will give you coordinates for asteroids visible to your area. Las Cumbres Observatory Asteroid Portal, Astronomy.com and Heavens-Above.com offer accurate location finders for asteroids as well as other deep-space objects.
- 2
  Type in your location by either name or coordinates into the website's asteroid finder. Pick asteroids under available options. If you wish to observe a certain asteroid, pick its name from the list.
- 3
  Write down coordinates of the chosen asteroid or the stars it's nearest to. Pick asteroids of medium brightness for best viewing. Pick asteroids further away from the moon to make it visible.
- 4
  Place your telescope facing the correct coordinates or direction and adjust the eyepiece for your eyes. Look through the scope, adjusting the position until you reach the correct coordinates.
- 5
  Look for a yellow dot closely followed by a dark blue dot; this will be your asteroid. Ceres and Vesta, the largest of the known near Earth asteroids, appear as dim stars.

Astronomy