‘4 Vesta’ asteroid to illuminate the night sky in Kuwait on January 27

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KUWAIT CITY, Jan 23: Fahd Al-Mahshani, a distinguished member of the Kuwaiti Astronomical Society, has confirmed an exciting celestial event for skygazers in Kuwait. The asteroid “4 Vesta” will be visible as it gracefully traverses the sky on January 27th, having entered the constellation Taurus on the fourteenth of this month and set to exit on the aforementioned date. Al-Mahshani recommends utilizing regular binoculars or simple telescopes to observe this astronomical marvel.

In a statement to Al-Rai, Al-Mahshani elaborated on the significance of “4 Vesta,” highlighting its status as a sizable asteroid situated within the asteroid belt positioned between Mars and Jupiter. This celestial body, discovered by the German astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers on March 29, 1807, boasts an impressive diameter of approximately 525 kilometers, making it one of the largest asteroids in our solar system.

“Vesta 4” is known for its relatively shiny surface and is considered one of the few remaining protoplanets in the solar system, maintaining its original form since its formation. Its unique structure features a rocky crust and mantle, accompanied by a metallic core. With a swift rotation period of 5.34 hours around its axis and an orbital period of 3.63 Earth years, “4 Vesta” continues to captivate astronomers and enthusiasts alike.

Ground-based telescopes and the Dawn spacecraft, which orbited the asteroid from 2011 to 2012, have previously observed “Vesta,” offering valuable insights into its characteristics and composition. As it graces Kuwait’s night sky, the asteroid serves as a reminder of the vast wonders our solar system holds, sparking curiosity and fascination among those who turn their gaze upward.

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