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小行星是較暗的天體，一般很難看到，不過今年在新春期間，你只需要使用一支普通的雙筒望遠鏡，就可找到灶神星。灶神星是德國天文學家奧伯斯在1807年發現的，其表面反光率特別高，是唯一有機會可用肉眼看到的小行星。
現時灶神星運行於獅子座頭部其中一顆亮星附近。新春期間入黑後即見於東面低空，在橘紅色的火星下方，我們可輕易找到這顆星體的位置(見圖)。現時灶神星非常接近地球，如果連續數晚觀看，就能對比其位置變化，亦可證明這是一顆運行中的星體。由於灶神星的直徑只得530公里，使用小型望遠鏡觀看，只能見到一個小星點。
It's an Asteroid!
Minor planets are faint objects. However, during the coming Chinese New Year holidays, you may be able to observe Vesta, a minor planet discovered by the German astronomer Heinrich Wilhelm Olbers in 1807. It was the 4th asteroid discovered and being highly reflective, it is the only asteroid visible to the unaided eyes.
Vesta now sits inside the constellation Leo. You can find Leo low in the east after dark. This year it lies just below Mars(see picture). With just a pair of binoculars, you may find Vesta near one of the brightest stars that makes up Leo's head. The diameter of Vesta is only 530 km. It would just appear as a speck of light. It is still rewarding if you observe consecutively for a few days because you will be able to notice its movement among the stars. ■甄枝強 資深天文愛好者
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