Using Herschel data, mission scientists have deduced that Apophis is 1,066 feet (325 meters) wide. That’s 20 percent larger than the previous estimate of 885 feet (270 meters). “The 20 percent increase in diameter, from 270 to 325 m, translates into a 75 percent increase in our estimates of the asteroid’s volume or mass,” said Thomas Müller of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching, Germany, and lead scientist of the study.
[Asteroid Apophis Just Got Supersized | 02/09/2014 | SunkenCiv]
We just need to make sure no doomsday cult with a missile tries to blow it up, or deflect it so it does hit Earth.
Scary close.
Tin foil hat and Slim Whitman time?
If one were really thought likely to hit earth, how long would it take to design and construct the necessary space technology to destroy or deflect it? Would that be possible? anyone have an opinion?
About 1/4 mile wide would be a cataclysmic impact.
“If the 27 billion kg asteroid were to hit Earth, scientists calculate that it would leave a crater over a mile wide and a staggering 518 metres deep.”
Okay. So how do we make sure it hits Mecca?
If the Good Lord sees fit, I’ll be 74 then, so I might get to see it...........unless it’s cloudy...............
“Mr. Douglas, could I interest you in some Gen-U-whine Asteroid insurance?”
Mr. Haney
Good timing.
This’ll hit just about when they implement means testing for Social Security.
Apophis has a potential y-axis value of 880. If the average chance of an asteroid impact is 1 in 40,000 and if Apophis' probability is 1000x less than the average, this NEO has an x-axis value of 10 -8.
We're easily in the white / 0 zone. Stand down.
2 out of 3 chance it would hit the water, which would create a different set of problems. But if it got hot and broke up like the recent Russian thing, there’s money in it for glass companies.
Jack, Sam, Teal’c and Daniel Jackson will make sure that we are safe from Apophis.
On a more serious note, a small rocket booster attached to the rock and pointing it into the Sun would be the best course of action.
The “Tractor” Gravity Tug would also work, but, into the Sun is the best place to dispose of such things.
What happens if it smacks down in Yellowstone?
That’s inside geosynch. Looks like a good time to practice moving an asteroid.
I’m not worried about it. The United States Space Force should be operational by then. Either we blast it into smithereens or direct its’ path toward Gitmo to take out Hillary, BHO, Podesta and Soros.
Let’s really blow this up and call it a 29 trillion gram asteroid. WOW! Izat hugh!
As long as it isn’t called wyrmwood I think we’re ok....
Here’s hoping it hits Washington DC while congress is in session.
We're doomed!