Asteroid may hit Planet Earth on March 21, 2014.

SkyNews ^ | 09/02/03 | Staff Writer

[bedolido]

Scientists monitoring an asteroid have warned it could collide with Earth in just over a decade.

The newly discovered asteroid, known as 2003 QQ47, is around two-thirds of a mile wide and has been classified as "an event meriting careful monitoring" by astronomers.

It is around one tenth fo the size of the meteor that is thought to have wiped out dinosaurs on Earth 65 million years ago.

In the event of it hitting the Earth, the rock would have the force of 350,000 mega tonnes - around eight million times more powerful than the bomb dropped at Hiroshima at the end of the Second World War.

On impact it would be travelling at 75,000 miles a hour.

Experts say the giant rock, which was first spotted by Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research Program (Linear) in New Mexico, could impact on Earth on March 21, 2014.

But they say the probability of the asteroid hitting Earth is just one in 909,000 and the risk of impact is likely to decrease as they collect more information.

With a mass of around 2,600 million tons, it has been given a "Torino hazard rating" of one. Scientists said it is likely to drop down the Torino hazard scale as more observations are made.

Its orbit calculations are currently based on just 51 observations during a seven-day period.

Dr Alan Fitzsimmons of Queen's University, Belfast, one of the expert team advising the UK Near Earth Objects Information Centre, based in Leicester, said: "The NEO will be observable from Earth for the next two months, and astronomers will continue to track it over this period."

He added that there is no cause for concern over the asteroid.

Asteroids such as 2003 QQ47 are chunks of rock left over from the formation of our solar system 4.5 billion years ago.

Most are kept at a safe distance from Earth in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

But the gravitational influence of giant planets such as Jupiter can nudge asteroids out of these safe orbits and send them plunging into the Earth's neighbourhood.

Last Updated: 14:07 UK, Tuesday September 02, 2003

[mewzilla]

Um, you might want to check out the title :) Has the little devil sped up?

[bedolido]

Relative Article:


Fancy a punt that life on earth will be wiped out in the next 10 years?

Well the odds are good at 909,000/1.

The only drawback is that you won't be around to pick up your winnings.

The astronomical odds are offered by bookmakers William Hill.

It was prompted by news that scientists believe an asteroid may hit Planet Earth on March 21, 2004.

The newly-discovered danger, known as 2003 QQ47, is around two-thirds of a mile wide and has been classified as "an event meriting careful monitoring" by astronomers.

But the fact you won't be around to collect your cash has not deterred one punter from having a flutter.

"One customer who placed a bet on the world ending said that he would collect his winnings in Heaven," said William Hill spokesman Graham Hill.

Now the bookmaker has opened a book on a whole range of unlikely events occurring, all at odds of 909,000/1.

They include glamour girl Jordan becoming Queen, Michael Jackson having a head transplant and Tony Blair being abducted by aliens.

[bedolido]

Um, you might want to check out the title :) Has the little devil sped up?

I don't understand

[KansasConservative1]

Someone has "sexed up" the dossier!

on March 21, 2014.

[Hatteras]

The title of the post says 2004. The article says 2014.

[mewzilla]

'04. Your headline just about gave me an MI. I thought I had another ten years to party hearty before the big splat ;)

[BluH2o]

2014 is ten years down the road from 2004 ... I'm sure you knew that, right?

[Publius6961]

March 21, 2004?

Can't we be a bit more specific?

Time and location, please.

[bedolido]

Accursed Sky News... One article said 2004 the other said 2014. Sorry

[montag813]

Hillary is hoping the asteroid hits New Hampshire.

[Dead Corpse]

Just Damn.

We're all gonna die.

Where's Bruce Willis when you need him.... ;-)

[Cold Heat]

I await it's arrival!

I wonder if it will be a slow news day when it comes.

[bedolido]

sorry there are two related articles. one said 2004 and the other 2014.

[Constitution Day]

Aaaaaah!! The atmosphere!! AAAAAAH!!!

[mhking]

I thought I was the only one that remembers those hokey Discovery Channel spots....

aaaaaaahhh....the atmosphere....ahhhhhhh

[Tamzee]

No worries... These guys have it covered :-)

[Izzy Dunne]

I don't get it.
The title says 2004.
The first article says 2014.
The 2nd (unsourced) article says 2004.
What does "fancy a punt" mean???

IS ANYONE DRIVING THIS BUS?

[aruanan]

Asteroid may hit Planet Earth on March 21, 2004.

Scientists monitoring an asteroid have warned it could collide with Earth in just over a decade.

One of these things is not like the other. One of these things is not the same.

[Constitution Day]

I thought I was the only one that remembers those hokey Discovery Channel spots....

LOL, I guess not! I thought they were pretty funny.
My wife hated them and I used to turn the TV volume up whenever they'd air. ;)