Fly-by of the Apollo-type asteroid 2008 QS11

The asteroid 2008 QS11 has been discovered by the Siding Spring sky Survey (MPC code #E12) on 27 August 2008 at about magnitude 18.

The absolute magnitude of 19.8 suggests a diameter within a factor of two of 350 m (1). Due to its size and the proximity of its orbit to Earth's, this object has been classified as a "Potentially Hazardous Asteroid" by the Minor Planet Center. This object is also a target for the Goldstone Radar facility.

2008 QS11 (classified as an Apollo-type NEO) will reach on 02 October 2008 the minimum distance from Earth (0.02767 A.U.) with a maximum predicted brightness of about magnitude 14.

Here You can see the discovery mpec:

http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/mpec/K08/K08Q46.html

Below You can see our animation showing the motion of the asteroid in 30 minutes. At the moment of the shots 2008 QS11 was moving at 27"/min (magnitude 14):

http://tinyurl.com/46ttlx

By Ernesto Guido & Giovanni Sostero

(1) http://echo.jpl.nasa.gov/asteroids/2008QS11/2008QS11_planning.html