Asteroid warning for 2014 [Odds of collision - 1 in 909,000]

BBC News ^ | September 2, 2003

[HAL9000]

The British agency responsible for identifying potentially hazardous asteroids says US astronomers are warning of a possible collision in 2014.

The UK Government's Near Earth Object Centre says American astronomers have discovered a large, fast-approaching asteroid that could hit the earth on 21 March, 2014.

But they add the chances of it doing so are just 1 in 909,000.

What is more, any risk of an impact is likely to decrease as further data is gathered, they say.

Credible threat

The BBC's science correspondent Christine McGourty says that, although the chances this asteroid will hit the Earth are slim, it is considered worth monitoring due to its sheer size and velocity.

The rock is said to measure approximately two thirds of a mile across - only one tenth of the size of the meteor thought to have wiped out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago.

It is travelling at a speed of about 20 miles per second.

"In theory such an asteroid could cause devastation across an entire continent," Christine McGourty says.

It has been labelled "2003 QQ 47" and astronomers will be monitoring it closely for the next two months.

[Aracelis]

Boom!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Luis Gonzalez]

March 2014?

So, I should get the 2014 model and not wait for the 2015's to hit the market?

Finance it long.

[Chad Fairbanks]

OK, time for The Continent Death Pool: Everyone choose a Continent...

[ETERNAL WARMING]

That's scary...it follows Bible prophecy timeline.

[Squantos]

Ahhhh HAH ! This is why Art Bell quit !!..........Stay Safe HAL !

[Aracelis]

That's scary...it follows Bible prophecy timeline.

I've heard similar dates kicked around a bit. Do you have any further info you can share?

[Squantos]

Doesn't the Mayan Long Count Calendar end December 21, 2012............ ?:o)

Stay Safe !

[razorback-bert]

Send $19.95 for asteroid repellant.

Safe, money back guarantee.

Send cash today, while supply lasts!

[Squantos]

All I got is a post dated three party out of state check and no ID.................is it good ?

Stay Safe !

[Squantos]

BTW there's only one "S" in Asteroid so don't try this old scam !

Stay Safe !

[general_re]

But they add the chances of it doing so are just 1 in 909,000.

This Wednesday's Powerball drawing carries odds of 1 in 120,526,770 against winning the jackpot. It is 132 times more likely that you will witness a continent-leveling asteroid strike rather than win big at the lottery.

I do not expect this fact to affect lottery-ticket sales.

[weegee]

For comparison sake:

The odds of winning the jackpot in the Texas Lottery are 1 in 47.7 million (up from 1 in 25.8 million in the earlier version of the game).

[weegee]

State lotteries are a tax on people with poor math skills.

[Fledermaus]

I was once hit by lightning. It's a great conversation piece when talk of lottery odds come up! lol

Do you know anyone that can lay down a bet on the asteroid? I feel lucky.

[Centurion2000]

OK, time for The Continent Death Pool: Everyone choose a Continent...

Impact in East Asia ... about mid-China.

I can hope anyway .....

[Aracelis]

It is 132 times more likely that you will witness a continent-leveling asteroid strike rather than win big at the lottery.

But if I ever win the lottery, look out...either Hell will freeze over or an asteroid will hit us.

[A CA Guy]

Gee, that is better odds than winning the lottery!
Wait a minute, the lottery is won every week!

Oh gee, it is the end of the world.

Can we talk Bruce Willis into saving us in time?

[general_re]

State lotteries are a tax on people with poor math skills.

Indeed. As someone who did reasonably well in math, I would very much like to run my own lottery - the state is getting quite a lot of money, I have noticed, and it only seems fair that I should have a crack at it also. Alas, the greedy thieves in the state house insist on maintaining their monopoly...