The next few weeks, astronomy enthusiasts can watch the trajectory of the asteroid Pallas, which will pass close to the earth, according to NASA.
The asteroid Pallas, one of the four large asteroids in our solar system, will be visible through a telescope, and binoculars in February and March. It could be seen from both hemispheres of the Earth, appearing in the east crossing the night sky.
The asteroid approaching the Earth every 16 months, but this year it will pass closer so it will be more noticeable to us. Belgian astronomer, Jean Meeus, said that this year the asteroid will be closest to Earth.
Pallas, called 2 Pallas, is the second largest asteroid in our solar system. The largest is Ceres, with a diameter of 952 km. Pallas has a diameter of about 544 km, followed by Vesta (525 km) and Hygiea (430 km).
Called “the four largest asteroids”, these asteroids have a size as the size of a small planets. In comparison, the Moon has a diameter of 3,475 km.
These Giants asteroids are remains of protoplanets. Ceres is the largest one and has a spherical shape it is considered even dwarf planet. They come from the asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter.
Pallas was first observed in 1802 by the astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Matthäus Olbers, which he considered Pallas to be a planet but after that it was being reclassified.