Posted on 10/02/2017 10:06:26 AM PDT by Red Badger
An asteroid the size of a house will pass very close to Earth later this month, giving scientists a chance to try out their planetary defence system.
The asteroid, known as 2012 TC4, was first spotted by the Pan-STARRS observatory in Hawaii in 2012, but its orbit meant that it could not be tracked.
Early observations indicated that it could come as close as 4,200 miles from the Earth's surface - well within the ring of geostationary satellites - on October 12.
However, new observations by the European Southern Observatory's Very Large Telescope in Chile reveal that it will miss our planet by 27,000 miles - roughly one-eighth of the distance to the Moon - which is still very close in astronomical terms.
The asteroid is estimated to be between 30 and 100 feet (10 to 30 metres) in size, and is travelling at about 30,000 mph (14 kilometres per second).
If an asteroid of this size was to enter our atmosphere, it would have a similar effect to the Chelyabinsk meteor, which exploded in an air burst over Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, in February 2013.
The meteor generated a bright flash and produced a hot cloud of dust and gas. The bulk of the object's energy was absorbed by the atmosphere, but some eyewitnesses felt intense heat from the fireball.
Scientists plan to use the close flyby of 2012 TC4 as an opportunity to test out their planetary defence system, in preparation for a real asteroid threat.
"Scientists have always appreciated knowing when an asteroid will make a close approach to and safely pass the Earth because they can make preparations to collect data to characterise and learn as much as possible about it," said NASA program scientist Michael Kelley.
(Excerpt) Read more at mirror.co.uk ...
The Russian meteor was that size......................
Well they said 10 to 30 meters, so it could be 100 to 900 cubic meters....................
Well they said 10 to 30 meters, so it could be 100 to 900 cubic meters....................
Trump has not done enougb to prepare for this.
Trump’s fault
At least we know (’cuz they told us) that it’s bigger than a breadbox. </*’)
If THIS is TRUMP’s fault then Sandy Hook was Obama’s fault!
If THIS is TRUMP’s fault then San Bernadino was Obama’s fault!
If THIS is TRUMP’s fault then Charleston was Obama’s fault!
If THIS is TRUMP’s fault then Boston Marathon Bombing was Obama’s fault!
etc.....................
You had to go there...
Every time I read of these projected near misses, I think of a bumper sticker seen a few years ago - “God’s back, and BOY is he mad!”
Hebrews 10:31 (KJV)
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
What could possibly go wrong there?
Best to do a bank shot off the Moon.
The Death Star hides behind the Moon.
Where are the Wizard of Oz jokes?
Maybe it will land on Hillary. Now that would be awesome!
If an asteroid of this size was to enter our atmosphere, it would have a similar effect to the Chelyabinsk meteor, which exploded in an air burst over Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, in February 2013.
Well, no, that depends entirely upon the composition of the asteroid. It might burn up, it might explode or it might make a pretty nice divot if it hits dry land and it wouldn't be very pleasant to be nearby if it did.
LOL!!
Is that a treehouse? It has impressive roots.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.