David Grennan, a long time member of  Astronomy Ireland has just discovered a Main Belt asteroid from his observatory in Raheny, Dublin. The asteroid, which is provisionally named 2008 US3, is at magnitude 19.5 and was found in southern Pegasus.  It is 3 - 6 kilometres wide.  This is a very faint object and is about 400,000 times fainter that the faintest star visible to the naked eye.

 

Just a couple of weeks ago Dave McDonald's from celbridge discovered the first asteroid, by an Irish person for 160 years - the last being discovered from Markree Castle Observatory - long since gone.  It certainly puts into perspective the magnitude of the achievement.

 

Great credit is due to Dave Grennan (who incidentally writes the monthly Sky Diary for Astronomy & Space) for the hours and dedication he has put into his find.  You can email congratulations to him at skydiary@astronomy.ie