What telescope do I need to see Europe?

At magnitude 10.2, Europe is best observed with a 6-inch (150 mm) or larger telescope.

Europe — Asteroid in Taurus

52 Europa, Europa (asteroid)

Asteroid Taurus Visible

Rendered preview of Europe from the Nightbase orrery, lit from the current Sun direction with the terminator visible.

Star Map 3D Solar System + List + Plan

Properties

Magnitude 10.2

Description

Type: Asteroid

Distance: 3.092 AU

Orbital Period: 1986.1 days

Diameter: 315 km

Asteroid (52) Europa — renamed Europe in Nightbase to disambiguate from Jupiter's moon Europa. C-type, low albedo (5.8%), ~315 km diameter. Named for the Phoenician princess of Greek mythology.

Position & Identifiers

RA 05h 01m 35.5s

Dec +18° 56' 37.7"

Constellation Taurus

Catalog Europe

Wikipedia

Physical Properties

Diameter 315 km

Mass 2.4e19 kg

Albedo 0.06 (6% reflected)

Rotation 5.6 hours

Angular Size 0.1″ (current)

Orbital Properties

Semi-major Axis 3.0922 AU (462.6 million km)

Eccentricity 0.1120

Inclination 7.48°

Orbital Period 5.44 years

Distance 3.512 AU (29.2 light-min)

Elongation 36.5° Moderate

Brightness Forecast (next 12 months)

Apparent magnitude as Earth–asteroid distance changes through the year. The peak marks the brightest moment in the window — usually around opposition, when the asteroid is closest and fully illuminated.

Computed from JPL orbital elements via m = H + 5·log₁₀(r·Δ). Phase-function correction is omitted, so curves trace distance variation only — accurate within a few tenths for main-belt asteroids; coarse for fast-moving NEOs near Earth.

Observing Tips

Best Months March , April , May

Visibility Telescope

Where to Look In asteroid belt

Notes Asteroid (52) Europa — renamed Europe in Nightbase to disambiguate from Jupiter's moon Europa. C-type, low albedo (5.8%), ~315 km diameter. Named for the Phoenician princess of Greek mythology.