Large 'Spooky' Asteroid to Narrowly Miss Earth on Halloween

Accuweather ^ | October 20, 2015 | Brian Lada

[Jed Eckert]

A newly discovered asteroid larger than a skyscraper will wiz past the Earth on Halloween, making a dangerously close approach to the planet.

The asteroid, officially named 2015 TB145, was just discovered on Oct. 10, 2015, and is expected to make its close approach to the Earth at the end of the month.

Some have already given the asteroid the nickname of "Spooky" due to the fact that it's closest approach to Earth is going to occur on Halloween.

Fortunately, the asteroid will miss the Earth, but it will still make an uncomfortably close approach of 302,885 miles. To put this in perspective, the average distance from the Earth to the moon is 238,900 miles..........

[FreedomStar3028]

There was closer a few years ago. Within the orbit of the moon.

[dragnet2]

In in relationship to the size of space, the solar system etc, 300k this is waaay close. Considering a 2,000’ diameter mountain hitting earth at about 78,000 mph would be epic and a mass killer if it hit anywhere even close to a population center.

[FreedomStar3028]

Might be an Earth killer. If it hit land it would choke the sky with dust all over the world.

[SunTzuWu]

Oh yeah. Video game from the early ‘90’s. I think Vulcan's Hammer was the culprit.

[Mad Dawgg]

The moon is 238,855 miles from the earth. So when you are talking celestial issues that is pretty darn close given the size of space which is really really really really big.

[Raycpa]

How do we know there is only one body?

[publius911]

Fortunately, the asteroid will miss the Earth, but it will still make an uncomfortably close approach of 302,885 miles. To put this in perspective, the average distance from the Earth to the moon is 238,900 miles..........

Does that mean, if we are told where it will be then, it should be visible from earth?

[Jim from C-Town]

Not unless something hits the moon and knocks it out of its’ geosynchronous orbit with the Earth. If something bashes into the moon and it is of a large enough size it could cause a serious problem.

I choose not to worry too much about such things as there isn’t anything we could do about it anyway.

[ez]

Is that the extremely bright “star” I saw in the morning eastern sky two days ago? Freaky bright.

[publius911]

Your car can travel 302,000 miles. Just not in space. Of course you will have to change your oil about a thousand times.

That would be truly a lousy car!!

[Defiant]

it will still make an uncomfortably close approach of 302,885 miles. To put this in perspective, the average distance from the Earth to the moon is 238,900 miles..........

Sounds like the Moon is going to be scary close that night. Boo!

[publius911]

Is that the extremely bright “star” I saw in the morning eastern sky two days ago? Freaky bright.

I can't see the eastern horizon from my house, but I suspect that is Venus.

[FreedomPoster]

I’m a huge Niven-Pournelle fan.

I am a patron subscriber to Jerry’s site. He’s a very, very interesting man.

[cripplecreek]

Gotta figure, the Voyager craft has made it to where it is without hitting anything large enough to destroy it or knock it off course.

Basically 40 years in a straight line flying blind without hitting anything.

Probably got some wounds from micrometeorites.

[Jed Eckert]

There could very well be some smaller ones tagging along which are not yet visible through our telescopes.

[Flick Lives]

Fortunately, the asteroid will miss the Earth, but it will still make an uncomfortably close approach of 302,885 miles.

---

That’s well outside the orbit of our own Moon. Not exactly a close call. Now if an asteroid were to park itself in the Lagrange Point between Earth and the Moon, that would be kind of interesting.

[cripplecreek]

Yeah Venus has been brilliant in the morning sky.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Isn’t spooky racist?

[Jed Eckert]

From the article:

People will be able to observe "Spooky" on the night of Oct. 30 and Oct. 31, weather permitting, but will need a telescope to do so. If you have a telescope and want to catch a glimpse of the Halloween asteroid, you should look in the direction of Orion's Shield, part of the Orion constellation.

[Jim from C-Town]

Wow! I would love to get 302,000 miles out of a car. That would be a pretty good car if it lasts that many miles.