Asteroid (44) Nysa at opposition

[Saulo Machado]

Dear Asteroid Day Community,

Next week (on the 23rd), asteroid (44) Nysa will be at opposition. In addition to being naturally brighter due to its period of closest approach to Earth, the asteroid will gain extra brightness because its perihelion (closest distance to the Sun) occurred on the 1st. This makes it possible to locate it using small telescopes (magnitude 8.6).

Beyond observation, there is much to explore about this asteroid, inspiring engaging events. See some ideas below:

. It was the sixth of the 14 asteroids discovered by the Franco-German astronomer Hermann Goldschmidt. Among these asteroids is (21) Lutetia, which was imaged up close by ESA’s Rosetta spacecraft.

. Goldschmidt began his career as a painter, but after attending a lecture by the famous French astronomer Urbain Le Verrier (co-discoverer of the planet Neptune), he devoted himself to astronomy.

. The asteroid’s name was inspired by the mythical land of Nysa. Among the most famous figures associated with this land is Dionysus.

. This celestial body lends its name to an asteroid family that is part of the Nysa–Polana complex. One of the members of this complex is (101955) Bennu, which was visited by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft. A study based on simulations suggests a 70% probability that Bennu originated from the Polana family.

. During this period, Nysa will be angularly close to the famous open cluster Beehive/Praesepe (M44) at Cancer constellation.

Suggested activities:
- Observation and recording: observe and record the asteroid, especially when it is relatively close to the M44 (Beehive/Praesepe) cluster. Live streams are welcome.
- Talks and lectures: plan a comprehensive presentation about the asteroid, its characteristics, and curiosities.
- Videocasts/short videos: select some intriguing facts about the asteroid and engage your audience.
- Inclusive or children’s activities: organize a workshop or contest to draw the asteroid based on its real shape or using modeling clay.
- Storytelling: explore curious episodes involving the mythical land.
- Short story contest: spark imagination with a writing or science fiction contest about an exploration of the asteroid.
- Impact simulation and planetary defense: the asteroid is currently in a safe location relative to Earth, but what would happen if an asteroid with these characteristics were on a collision course? What would be the consequences? What could we do to prevent an impact?
https://www.asteroidstrike.earth/meteors
https://neal.fun/asteroid-launcher/
https://www.purdue.edu/impactearth/

Organize a special event taking advantage of this asteroid’s proximity. Register it on our webpage so your event appears on our global map:
https://asteroidday.org/events/event-registration/add

Don’t forget to report it for featuring on our media channels:
https://asteroidday.org/event-organizer-information/report-after-an-asteroid-day-event/

We hope these suggestions serve as a starting point for creative and collaborative initiatives, strengthening connections, expanding outreach, and inspiring new ideas.
Have a great event!

Saulo Machado
Global Event Coordinator

References:

Asteroid (characteristics):
https://grokipedia.com/page/44_nysa
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nysa_family
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0019103514005211
https://asteroidday.org/updates/event-updates/learn-why-are-asteroids-grouped-into-families/
https://asteroidday.org/resources/event-resources/learn-what-are-the-different-types-of-asteroids/
https://asteroidday.org/resources/event-resources/learn-why-arent-asteroids-round/

Orbit and location:
https://astro.vanbuitenen.nl/minorplanet/Nysa
https://www.spacereference.org/asteroid/44-nysa-a857-ka
https://in-the-sky.org/findercharts3.php?id=A44
https://asteroidday.org/resources/event-resources/when-is-the-best-time-to-observe-an-asteroid/

Asteroid shape:
https://damit.cuni.cz/projects/damit/stored_files/open/245/shape.png
https://3d-asteroids.space/asteroids/44-Nysa

Mythological origin of the name:
https://www.theoi.com/Nymphe/NymphaiNysiades.html
https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/myths/mount-nysa/

Discoverer biography:
https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/goldschmidt-hermann
https://www.europeana.eu/en/collections/person/149526-hermann-goldschmidt
https://www.antiques-atlas.com/antique/hermann_goldschmidt_portrait_of_a_lady/as951a279
https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Space_Science/Rosetta/Rosetta_triumphs_at_asteroid_Lutetia