Posted on 08/22/2014 2:31:59 PM PDT by nickcarraway
However, scientists claim there is no cause for concern because the hundreds of years of warning could allow for a method to divert it
Researchers studying a huge asteroid that is hurtling towards earth say there is a possibility of it striking our planet on March 16, 2880!
They say the rock rotates so quickly that it should break apart, but it remained intact on its Earth-bound trajectory, according to a report in Dailymail.co.uk
Though studies have revealed that Asteroid 1950DA is held together by cohesive forces called van der Waals, scientists still have no clue on how to stop it.
The rock is about 3,280ft (1,000 metres) in diameter and rotates once every two hours and six minutes.
At this rate, the rock should break apart and eventually disintegrate, but it is not showing any signs of doing so.
Although the probability of an impact is only 0.3 per cent, this represents a risk 50 per cent greater than an impact from all other asteroids.
However, scientists claim there is no cause for concern because the hundreds of years of warning could allow for a method to divert it, such as dusting the surface of the asteroid with chalk or charcoal, or white glass beads. This would change its reflectivity and allow sunlight to do the work of pushing the asteroid out of the way.
Nasa is currently tracking all 1,400 potentially hazardous asteroids so far identified and predicting their future close approaches and impact probabilities.
:-)
.
-PJ
Somehow, I’m not too worried about this climate change moment.
March 16 is my Anniversary!
In that case you are lucky, it will spare you the long wait in uncomfortable chairs.
That is “rich”
I guess there is no reason to quit smoking.
There are going to be a dozen (or more) that hit before this one does
Darn. I had March 17th in the pool.
I’ll have conquered another planet by then.
Who cares?
I’ll send a post card:
“Wish you Were Here?”....
Free Republic needs a ‘like’ button.
Given that the earth will be uninhabitable by humans in 50 years and will be utterly devoid of carbon based life in 100 why should this even be a story?
Not Again! Ping. :)
Explains why Obama has pretty much stopped being President.
The IRS has just moved tax day up a month to March 15
Will Zager & Evans have another hit by 2880?
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