NASA plans to launch study of asteroid that could destroy Earth (Bennu in 2135 scenario)

New York Post ^ | 7/31/15 | Eileen AJ Connelly

[NormsRevenge]

Paging Bruce Willis!

NASA is planning to launch a probe to study an asteroid that could one day pulverize the Earth.

The asteroid, named Bennu, crosses Earth’s orbit once every six years and has gotten ever closer since it was discovered in 1999, astronomers told the Sunday Times of London (paywall).

In 2135, Bennu will fly between the moon and Earth — a hair’s breadth in space terms, the Times reported. That’s so close that gravity from the Earth could effect Bennu’s orbit, “potentially putting it on course for the Earth later that century,” said Dante Lauretta, a professor of planetary science at Arizona University.

Bennu is about 1,600 feet in diameter and travels around the sun at an average of 63,000 mph.

The chance of an impact is small but significant, and if it happens, would be equivalent to triggering 3 billion tons of high explosive, 200 times the strength of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.

[NormsRevenge]

2135?

Might be a good year to consider moving some of humanity by then to Mars or the Moon I reckun. :-)

[dfwgator]

Can we tell it to speed it up a little?

[NormsRevenge]

Helpful Tips For Nuking An Asteroid
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/08/150803-space-nasa-asteroids-comets-nuclear-weapons-defense/

[ColdOne]

It will be sooner. The name of the asteriod will be President Hillary Clinton.

[JimSEA]

We have plenty of time to “make adjustments”.

[Bobalu]

The Hiroshima bomb was like 15kt and this thing would be like 3gt that’s NOT 200 times the Hiroshima bomb...common core math I suppose.

[NormsRevenge]

http://www.nasa.gov/content/what-is-nasa-s-asteroid-redirect-mission

[Paladin2]

Does this have any thing to do with Air Conditioning or Carbon Dioxide?

[Kenton]

Well, people in my family tend to live at least in their 90s, and this would jump off when I’m 89. If I gotta go, which I do, it’d be pretty cool to go at the end of the world.

[Hot Tabasco]

In 2135, Bennu will fly between the moon and Earth

I don't think there will be any human life left in 2135.........Lots of dandelions maybe but no humans.

[CMB_polarization]

They can divert it, or have it collide with Earth even sooner.

[dp0622]

well, the first two letters are a start

[dp0622]

Both. And slavery. And deporting illegals.

BUT MOSTLY WHITE PEOPLE!!!! :)

[GOPJ]

An explosion too close to Earth could create a “shotgun effect,” pummeling our planet with a spray of asteroid fragments that could rain devastation across a vast area.

No concern about radiation, right?

[Know et al]

Global warming will have already made us toast by then! Al Gore stated that we only have five years left fifteen years ago.

[BenLurkin]

[Mjreagan]

Islam will have done its work.

[atc23]

There won't be any America or white people left in what was America in 2135 - this "location" will be like India for the starvation, Venezuela for the political upheaval and Greece for the fiscal mismanagement.

I don't care though since I'll be dead - yippee

[dp0622]

I’m hoping to make 2035 :)

And you’re right, if things keep going the way they are, the asteroid will be doing Earth a favor so it can start over.

“Save the earth” What a dumb ####ing Green statement.

As if we COULD destroy it.

We could use every nuke on the planet and the earth would be fine. And in a few million years new creautures would apppear, hopefully not dems :)

[cloudmountain]

It will be sooner. The name of the asteriod will be President Hillary Clinton

EXCELLENT!!