Asteroid Might Hit Earth
Nova Castlemilk
16-02-2005, 01:13
I just read this on AOL news. Has anyone else heard about it?
A giant asteroid is speeding towards the Earth, space scientists said today.
The massive rock, almost a quarter of a mile wide, was on a one-chance-in-60 collision course with the planet – though most observers now believe the odds to be a fraction of this.
However, the space rock will come so close that it will pass between the Earth and orbiting telecommunications satellites – and, at 22,600 miles, will be the nearest miss in recorded history.
It will also be visible with the naked eye from the UK mainland.
If the asteroid were to hit Earth, the resulting explosion would be the equivalent to a direct strike with 20 hydrogen bombs.
Vast areas of the planet would be transformed into wasteland, or, if it hit the ocean, a giant tsunami would be generated.
Professor Mark Bailey, director of the Armagh Observatory, said: “I think everyone is saying that it is going to
miss, though you will be able to see it with a small telescope or even the naked eye.
“It is like being on a train station platform and watching an express train go by three feet away.
“You’re close but it’s not dangerous.”
The asteroid, called MN4, will skim Earth on Friday, April 13 2029.
The Greater Plains
16-02-2005, 01:16
Cool, will this be televised? :)
Reeeeally old news. Like, from last year. And it's been calculated to miss.
Greater Yubari
16-02-2005, 01:20
Even if it hits, so what? It happened before, it'll happen again.
The Greater Plains
16-02-2005, 01:21
the last hit was very wicked. (siberia/russia)
hope for not letting one like that fall down on your flat.
Armagh Observatory!
brilliant
i have a picture on my wall i got from armagh observatory of earth in the distance behind jupiter...brilliant....ive been to the armagh observatory 5 times now, love the place
When is this asteroid expected to be visible?
Meh. there's probably thousands of asteroids that all "might" hit us, as well as the god knows how many near earth collisions we have daily.
It's a complete guessing game if you ask me :(
the last hit was very wicked. (siberia/russia)
hope for not letting one like that fall down on your flat.
thats the one where a huge forest ended up flattened wasnt it?
Nova Castlemilk
16-02-2005, 01:24
Ok, here's alink for more details.....
http://2004mn4.info/
The Greater Plains
16-02-2005, 01:25
thats the one where a huge forest ended up flattened wasnt it?
Yes, impressive,eh? :) ;)
Belperia
16-02-2005, 01:27
Might?
We might get destroyed by nukerler war.
We might get our atmosphere burned off by solar flare.
We might get invaded by aliens.
I might get knocked down by a bus tomorrow.
Sheffield Wednesday might get promoted this season.
The NHL lockout might end.
All these "mights" make me want to go and hoover the mattress.
Yes, impressive,eh? :) ;)
yea, asteroids and metoers fascinate me...i love the thought of them
actually, its just "space" in general....so amazing, its so beautiful and brilliant...
We might get destroyed by nukerler war.
Yeah, we shud get rid of nukerler weapons :D
and whats even better...this is a Northern Irish observatory saying ths...and a Northern Irish MP (who went to my school) is in charge of a Parliamentary commitee monitoring asteroids...
...ah...i love space
The Greater Plains
16-02-2005, 01:34
yea, asteroids and metoers fascinate me...i love the thought of them
actually, its just "space" in general....so amazing, its so beautiful and brilliant...
Yes i can definitely share that!
Did you see these "Hubble pictures"?
wait there is a site: http://hubblesite.org/gallery/
this is so cool, i love it.
The Greater Plains
16-02-2005, 01:36
and whats even better...this is a Northern Irish observatory saying ths...and a Northern Irish MP (who went to my school) is in charge of a Parliamentary commitee monitoring asteroids...
stop bragging! ;) ;) ;) :D :)
...ah...i love space
Yerrrrrr
:)
Yes i can definitely share that!
Did you see these "Hubble pictures"?
wait there is a site: http://hubblesite.org/gallery/
this is so cool, i love it.
that is very cool, thanks for the link :)
stop bragging! ;) ;) ;) :D :)
cant help it :p
the guys class, he did a Prize Giving speech and got people to do the mexican wave...it was the best prize giving speech i saw in 7 years of it...
Yerrrrrr
:)
:D
Corneliu
16-02-2005, 01:45
The astroid will miss.
moves on to the next thread!
Keruvalia
16-02-2005, 02:01
For backyard astronomers, this will be quite a treat if you're in the viewing area. So make sure you're still alive in April 2029. It'll be quite a show.
De Jewish Mafia
16-02-2005, 02:06
Friday, April 13 2029
Whew! I thought is was going to come in a few weeks!
This might have been the one I heard about a few years ago, of course I've thought that several other asteroids that changed course and were due here in 2028 or so were the one I heard about.
Well, I'll be 38. Maybe I can see it...
The truth is that it's not a matter "if", but rather a matter "when". Sooner or later, one will hit.
Australus
16-02-2005, 02:11
The rating of this asteroid is a zero on the Torino Impact Hazard Scale.
*yawn*
Humanity saved again.
Swimmingpool
16-02-2005, 02:14
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/29th_century
On March 16th 2880, there is a 1-in-300 probability that asteroid (29075) 1950 DA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(29075)_1950_DA) will hit the Earth, causing an extinction-level event.
It's a scary thought that we couldn't do anything even if one was gonna hit =/
Andaluciae
16-02-2005, 02:21
This might be more of an opportunity than we think, as the thing is coming by in like 2026, we could snatch the thing using powerful rocket boosters, and put it in orbit around Earth, and use it for all sorts of fun things.
Andaluciae
16-02-2005, 02:22
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/29th_century
On March 16th 2880, there is a 1-in-300 probability that asteroid (29075) 1950 DA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(29075)_1950_DA) will hit the Earth, causing an extinction-level event.
Of course, we could always prevent the bastard by nuking the hell out of it.
Orioni 2
16-02-2005, 02:25
I say the government just waits for the asteroid to pass Earth and should then send an ICBM after it. That way we're sure it won't come back, and the debris isn't likely to hit Earth. :gundge:
Andaluciae
16-02-2005, 02:27
We'd need to use more than an ICBM, as the RV's aren't programmed to hit moving targets, or go outwards. No, we'd need to use a heavy lift vehicle that would put the warheads on a transit device that would take them to the asteroid.
Alien Born
16-02-2005, 02:28
You can go and watch its orbit, here. (needs java) (http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/db?name=2004+MN4)
2029 damn thats way too long, I want to see it now.
Swimmingpool
16-02-2005, 02:38
Of course, we could always prevent the bastard by nuking the hell out of it.
That wouldn't work! Didn't you see Deep Impact??!!! ;)
Yeah, if it is even a threat by then, we would no doubt have the technology to get rid of it easily.
Neo-Anarchists
16-02-2005, 02:45
Yeah, if it is even a threat by then, we would no doubt have the technology to get rid of it easily.
NO, the Overlords of the 12 Zarquon galaxies will come to save us!
Andaluciae
16-02-2005, 02:46
NO, the Overlords of the 12 Zarquon galaxies will come to save us!
But the reptilian Zeta-Reticulians will stop them.
Teh Cameron Clan
16-02-2005, 02:46
All these "mights" make me want to go and hoover the mattress.
buhahaha i get it, i get it !!!
Neo-Anarchists
16-02-2005, 02:51
But the reptilian Zeta-Reticulians will stop them.
But remember, the government has that stolen technology from the Greys. We might be able to lay down some covering fire.