ESA confirms asteroid will miss Earth in 2019

Phys.org ^ | 07/17/2019

[BenLurkin]

In general, when an asteroid is found to have even a tiny chance of impacting Earth, further observations and measurements are taken. These "astrometric" data refine our understanding of the asteroid's path, improving our understanding of the risk it poses and often excluding any chance of collision altogether.

However, the case of asteroid 2006 QV89 is peculiar. The object was discovered in August 2006 and then observed for only ten days. These observations suggested it had a 1-in-7000 chance of impacting Earth on 9 September 2019.

After the tenth day, the asteroid was unobservable and has not been seen since. Now, after more than a decade, we can predict its position with only very poor accuracy. As a result it is extremely difficult for astronomers to re-observe it, as no one knows exactly where to point a telescope.

Nevertheless, there is a way to obtain the information needed.

While we do not know 2006 QV89's trajectory exactly, we do know where it would appear in the sky if it were on a collision course with our planet. Therefore, we can simply observe this small area of the sky to check that the asteroid is indeed, hopefully, not there.

Teams obtained very "deep" images of a small area in the sky, where the asteroid would have been located if it were on track to impact Earth in September.

Nothing was seen.

[DoodleBob]

2006 QV8 is a zero on the Torino Scale. Next.

[Robert DeLong]

ESA = European Space Agency (So are they to be trusted?) 8>)

[PIF]

A broken clock is right twice a day.

[UCANSEE2]

Last time was around 12,800 years ago

Which would explain why the ancients built massive underground cities around 12,800 years ago.

[NativeSon]

Awww!, we’ll miss you too asteroid

[backwoods-engineer]

Thanks for the Torino Scale. I’d not seen that before, but I saved it off for future reference.

[Yo-Yo]

hang on until the fall of 2030 when the Earth will pass through the densest part of the Taurid stream. Last time was around 12,800 years ago and ushered in the Younger Dryas Period - colder than the Ice Ages. Ah, you say throw another log on the fire.

Thanks for the info. Good to know that my 401K only has to last me until 2030. Maybe I can buy that diesel motorhome after all.

[PIF]

Maybe I can buy that diesel motorhome after all.

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Don’t wait until 2029 ....

[Oscar in Batangas]

So does this mean we’re still on for the Black Friday WalMart mob scenes???

[Deaf Smith]

"expect a 21 year period of heavy bombardment"

Insurance Adjusters will be very busy.