Skip to comments.
Asteroids could be approaching Earth undetected as NASA scientists find a danger zone that allows space rocks to 'sneak up' on telescopes because of a quirk of the planet's daily rotation
Daily Mail ^
| Ian Randall
Posted on 01/17/2022 2:23:10 PM PST by BenLurkin
This is the warning of NASA-funded experts who investigated how telescopes nearly missed a 328-feet-wide asteroid that came within 43,500 miles of Earth back in 2019.
The space rock, dubbed '2019 OK', was the first object of its size to get that close to our planet since 1908 — but it was only spotted 24 hours before its closest approach.
The reason, the team determined, is because it was moving towards us in such a way that its motion across the night sky was counteracted by the Earth's spin.
Thus — to early warning systems like Pan-STARRS1 at Hawaii's Haleakala Observatory — 2019 OK looked stationary, so did not set off the automated detection software.
In fact, the experts said, up to half of asteroids approaching Earth from a danger zone east of 'opposition' likely undergo periods of such apparent slow motion.
An asteroid is said to be at opposition when its position in the night sky places it along a line that intersects both the Earth and the sun.
This means that half of these asteroids could presently also be difficult to detect — and computerised telescopes will need to be updated to take account of the effect.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
TOPICS: Astronomy; Science
KEYWORDS: 2019ok; asteroid; asteroids; astronomy; catastrophism; nasa; nearearth; panstarrs1; science
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-42 next last
Nobody saw this one coming until it struck...
It came from another blind spot.
1
posted on
01/17/2022 2:23:10 PM PST
by
BenLurkin
To: SunkenCiv
2
posted on
01/17/2022 2:23:26 PM PST
by
BenLurkin
(The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire. Or both.)
To: BenLurkin
3
posted on
01/17/2022 2:26:00 PM PST
by
Magnetar
To: BenLurkin
So if the COVID don’t get ya
then the asteroid well
You load 16 tons and what’da’ya get...
4
posted on
01/17/2022 2:27:09 PM PST
by
TomGuy
(!)
To: BenLurkin
5
posted on
01/17/2022 2:28:31 PM PST
by
WMarshal
("Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither.")
To: BenLurkin
6
posted on
01/17/2022 2:28:32 PM PST
by
mewzilla
(Those aren't masks. They're muzzles. )
To: BenLurkin
7
posted on
01/17/2022 2:31:55 PM PST
by
Rurudyne
(Standup Philosopher)
To: mewzilla
Sounds like that would be spanking of NASA, at the least.
8
posted on
01/17/2022 2:34:16 PM PST
by
Paladin2
To: BenLurkin
9
posted on
01/17/2022 2:35:35 PM PST
by
Seruzawa
("The Political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence" - Marx the Smarter (Groucho))
To: BenLurkin
Seriously. So what? There is absolutely nothing that could be done about it.
10
posted on
01/17/2022 2:37:27 PM PST
by
Seruzawa
("The Political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence" - Marx the Smarter (Groucho))
To: Seruzawa
Everyone should have a sign with big print they can pull out when the asteroid goes over their house.
“Washington DC ———>”
11
posted on
01/17/2022 2:39:26 PM PST
by
cgbg
(A kleptocracy--if they can keep it. Think of it as the Cantillon Effect in action.)
To: BenLurkin
Why is it called 2019 OK? Was it headed for Oklahoma?
To: BenLurkin
You know how you find a unique planet...
Unique up on it.
To: Seruzawa
"...There is absolutely nothing that could be done about it..." But we could be terrified.
It's very, very important to be afraid, right?
How can we be fleeced and controlled if not by fear?
14
posted on
01/17/2022 2:49:34 PM PST
by
GaltAdonis
(As a nation of freemen we must live through all time or die by suicide. Abe Lincoln)
To: BenLurkin
If it comes out of the Sun, fast, like a P-51 Mustang on an unaware Messerschmidt we’ll never know what hit us or at least not have enough time to divert it.
15
posted on
01/17/2022 2:49:50 PM PST
by
Vaquero
(Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you. )
To: BenLurkin
Coming out from behind the sun is also a blind spot. I read that once that happens there is nothing anyone can do to stop it.
16
posted on
01/17/2022 3:14:08 PM PST
by
PIF
(They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
To: BenLurkin
Don't worry about that. That's just my mail order brides delivery.
17
posted on
01/17/2022 3:21:39 PM PST
by
DannyTN
To: BenLurkin
NASA couldn’t find their asteroid with both hands and a map.
18
posted on
01/17/2022 3:22:25 PM PST
by
blueunicorn6
("A crack shot and a good dancer”)
To: DannyTN
19
posted on
01/17/2022 3:24:12 PM PST
by
BenLurkin
(The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire. Or both.)
To: WMarshal
I’m thinking of setting up a fearporn ping list. Interested?
20
posted on
01/17/2022 3:24:58 PM PST
by
BenLurkin
(The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire. Or both.)
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-20, 21-40, 41-42 next last
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.
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson