A Special Cosmic Visitor: Asteroid 887 Alinda Approaches Earth
This week, Earth is graced with a special visitor from the cosmos, sparking excitement and curiosity among astronomers and the general public alike. Depending on your location, this might be the perfect opportunity for a stargazing adventure. Let’s dive into the details surrounding the historic approach of Asteroid 887 Alinda.
Asteroid 887 Alinda, one of the largest asteroids in our cosmic neighborhood, is making its closest approach to Earth in a century. The event began on Wednesday, drawing attention from both amateur stargazers and seasoned astronomers. Discovered in 1918 by the German astronomer Max Wolf, Alinda has a diameter of approximately 4 kilometers, making it one of the rare objects to approach Earth.
This celestial giant is classified as one of the five largest asteroids to come within 15 million kilometers of Earth until the year 2200. While an asteroid of this size could raise concerns, there’s no need for alarm; Alinda's trajectory has been calculated as safe, posing no collision risk. During its closest approach on Wednesday, the asteroid was situated about 12 million kilometers from Earth, equivalent to roughly 32 times the average distance between our planet and the Moon.
Due to this remarkable proximity, Alinda will appear bright in the night sky for several days, especially favorable for observers in the Northern Hemisphere. People can spot it in the constellations of Orion and Gemini, and it can even be viewed using just binoculars or small telescopes. This period serves as a rare opportunity for enthusiasts and amateur astronomers to engage with a significant cosmic event.
To enhance the experience, the Virtual Telescope Project livestreamed the asteroid’s approach on their YouTube channel and has scheduled another live viewing for Sunday at 2:30 PM in Brasília time. For those interested in following the live stream, a link is available on the Olhar Digital website.
The next significant approach of Asteroid 887 Alinda will not occur until January 25, 2087, making this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many sky-watchers.
Beware of New Scams Related to PIX Transactions
In conjunction with the excitement of cosmic events, there’s a new warning from the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service regarding scams targeting unsuspecting individuals. A recent alert highlighted fraudulent attempts involving supposed charges on transactions made through the PIX payment system.
Scammers are spreading disinformation, claiming that new rules have imposed a tax on transactions exceeding R$5,000. The Federal Revenue Service clarified that no such tax has been instituted and that there are no tax obligations associated with PIX transactions.
Individuals receiving messages about taxes on their PIX transactions should be cautious, as these scams often involve requests to pay a fraudulent boleto, or invoice. If victims fail to make the payment, criminals may threaten to block their CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) numbers.
Conclusion
The celestial event of Asteroid 887 Alinda provides a delightful opportunity for sky observation, while the simultaneous warning about scams underscores the need for vigilance. As we gaze at this magnificent cosmic traveler, it's also essential to remain aware of ongoing fraudulent activities that prey on the uncertainties of the public. So, enjoy the spectacle in the sky, but stay safe from deception on the ground.
Part 1/6:
A Special Cosmic Visitor: Asteroid 887 Alinda Approaches Earth
This week, Earth is graced with a special visitor from the cosmos, sparking excitement and curiosity among astronomers and the general public alike. Depending on your location, this might be the perfect opportunity for a stargazing adventure. Let’s dive into the details surrounding the historic approach of Asteroid 887 Alinda.
The Arrival of Asteroid 887 Alinda
Part 2/6:
Asteroid 887 Alinda, one of the largest asteroids in our cosmic neighborhood, is making its closest approach to Earth in a century. The event began on Wednesday, drawing attention from both amateur stargazers and seasoned astronomers. Discovered in 1918 by the German astronomer Max Wolf, Alinda has a diameter of approximately 4 kilometers, making it one of the rare objects to approach Earth.
Part 3/6:
This celestial giant is classified as one of the five largest asteroids to come within 15 million kilometers of Earth until the year 2200. While an asteroid of this size could raise concerns, there’s no need for alarm; Alinda's trajectory has been calculated as safe, posing no collision risk. During its closest approach on Wednesday, the asteroid was situated about 12 million kilometers from Earth, equivalent to roughly 32 times the average distance between our planet and the Moon.
A Spectacle in the Night Sky
Part 4/6:
Due to this remarkable proximity, Alinda will appear bright in the night sky for several days, especially favorable for observers in the Northern Hemisphere. People can spot it in the constellations of Orion and Gemini, and it can even be viewed using just binoculars or small telescopes. This period serves as a rare opportunity for enthusiasts and amateur astronomers to engage with a significant cosmic event.
To enhance the experience, the Virtual Telescope Project livestreamed the asteroid’s approach on their YouTube channel and has scheduled another live viewing for Sunday at 2:30 PM in Brasília time. For those interested in following the live stream, a link is available on the Olhar Digital website.
Part 5/6:
The next significant approach of Asteroid 887 Alinda will not occur until January 25, 2087, making this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many sky-watchers.
Beware of New Scams Related to PIX Transactions
In conjunction with the excitement of cosmic events, there’s a new warning from the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service regarding scams targeting unsuspecting individuals. A recent alert highlighted fraudulent attempts involving supposed charges on transactions made through the PIX payment system.
Scammers are spreading disinformation, claiming that new rules have imposed a tax on transactions exceeding R$5,000. The Federal Revenue Service clarified that no such tax has been instituted and that there are no tax obligations associated with PIX transactions.
Part 6/6:
Individuals receiving messages about taxes on their PIX transactions should be cautious, as these scams often involve requests to pay a fraudulent boleto, or invoice. If victims fail to make the payment, criminals may threaten to block their CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) numbers.
Conclusion
The celestial event of Asteroid 887 Alinda provides a delightful opportunity for sky observation, while the simultaneous warning about scams underscores the need for vigilance. As we gaze at this magnificent cosmic traveler, it's also essential to remain aware of ongoing fraudulent activities that prey on the uncertainties of the public. So, enjoy the spectacle in the sky, but stay safe from deception on the ground.