It's called Apophis. It's 390m wide. And it could hit Earth in 31 years time [Asteroid]

The Guardian (UK) ^ | December 7, 2005 | by Alok Jha

[xrp]

Oops!

[CindyDawg]

It's ok. You'll get a FEMA card.

[Prince Charles]

Apophis, which has an outside chance of hitting the Earth in 2036...

But I heard on Kook To Kook AM that the world is going to end in 2012, so what's there to worry about?

[cripplecreek]

So should I get a head start on the lootin?

[Cicero]

I think America is already doing its share, and deflecting asteroids is an expensive business.

Let the French do it. Or maybe Kofi Annan. He should have enough cash in his slush fund to take care of it.

[SubMareener]

Yes, but the good news is that we will miss the chaos from the 32bit Unix clock roll-over in 2038! Look on the bright side! ;-)

[Lancer_N3502A]

Nope, Bush has the evil hurricane machine. Chaney's got the evil tornado machine. This must be Rumsfeld's evil asteroid machine...LOL

[xcamel]

KillerPotato!

[CindyDawg]

We are gonna need "scooters" with baskets:')

[VadeRetro]

So, should I eat broccoli or not?

[Revolting cat!]

Finally, a real chance for Skeeter to make a comeback!

[fatima]

Hi Cat.:)

[Graymatter]

That's a biggin

Now you've done it! You've activated my Cheney Chix files!

[Revolting cat!]

Oh, hi fatima. This may be the last time we can say "HI" to each other!

[InvisibleChurch]

according to the libs, having stuff is a crime ...

[Junior]

I'll be 71. Like I'll give a flying fig leaf.

[miliantnutcase]

390m is not exactly a world killer. It would probably wreak considerable havoc similar to a very very large volcano. Possibly causing colder climate for maybe a few years but nothing that would kill off civilization.

[KC Burke]

My goodness, I hope there is time to get that snappy dresser, Mr. Brown, back at FEMA.

Seriously, this is a hyped article.

The current Torino Scale rating and classification on Palermo risk places this in the category defined by NAEO as:

A routine discovery in which a pass near the Earth is predicted that poses no unusual level of danger. Current calculations show the chance of collision is extremely unlikely with no cause for public attention or public concern. New telescopic observations very likely will lead to re-assignment to Level 0.

or as NEO explains when giving the probability of any impact0.018000000% chance of Earth impact

or

1 in 5,560 chance

or

99.98200000% chance the asteroid will miss the Earth

[fatima]

Why beautiful,where you going-don't leave me.