Toutatis

[Tunga]

The asteroid Toutatis flew by Earth on September 29. Based on highly accurate radar data, Dr. Steve Ostro (JPL) had predicted several years earlier that its closest planetary approach +/- (3 Sigma) would be 1,549,834 +/- 9.6 km for this encounter.

The question is how close did it really come. Was the fly-by within the 3 sigma error window? If not, how much was it off?

[Argos]

According to Universe today, itīs closest approach was found (through paralax) to be 1,607,900 km.

[Dana_Mix]

YFH had some interesting information here:

here


edited to get the url thing right.

[Tunga]

I communicated with Dr. Ostro yesterday. The radar data from the Toutotis fly-by has been successfully captured. Accurate distance data will become available in the January timeframe.

[Launch window]

anyone get a shot of it with their backyard scope ?