Ceres and Vesta to have historic close encounter

The two largest asteroids – Ceres and Vesta – will appear to have a close approach this weekend: Watch Historic Meeting of Two Monster Asteroids in the Sky This Weekend – News Watch

Not since their discovery more than 200 years ago has anyone observed these two giants of the main asteroid belt pair up so closely in the heavens.

Since spring, keen-eyed sky-watchers using nothing more than binoculars or small telescopes have followed the cosmic duo. The two asteroids have flown in tandem, looping across the Virgo constellation now visible in the southwestern evening skies.

Ceres is actually now referred to as a dwarf  planet since it had enough mass to pull itself into a sphere.

The online observatory Slooh.com will have a special live webcast to watch the event.

See also Small solar system targets take center stage – Astronomy.com.