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 — Astéroïde dans Gemini

52 Europa, Europa (asteroid)

Magnitude 10.2^m Asteroid Gemini Visible

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

Carte du Ciel Système Solaire 3D + Liste + Plan

Propriétés

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 et Identifiants

RA 06h 22m 11.8s

Dec +20° 37' 12.9"

Constellation Gemini

Catalogue Europe

Wikipedia

Propriétés Physiques

Diamètre 315 km

Masse 2.4e19 kg

Albédo 0.06 (6% reflected)

Rotation 5.6 hours

Taille angulaire 0.1″ (current)

Propriétés orbitales

Demi-grand axe 3.0922 AU (462.6 million km)

Excentricité 0.1120

Inclinaison 7.48°

Période orbitale 5.44 years

Distance 3.743 AU (31.1 light-min)

Élongation 11.0° Near Sun

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.

Conseils d'Observation

Meilleurs mois March , April , May

Visibilité Telescope

Où chercher 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.