Giant Asteroid Could Hit Earth in 2014

CNN/Reuters ^ | September 2, 2003

[anymouse]

A giant asteroid is heading for Earth and could hit in 2014, U.S. astronomers have warned British space monitors.

But for those fearing Armageddon, don't be alarmed -- the chances of a catastrophic collision are just one in 909,000.

Asteroid "2003 QQ47" will be closely monitored over the next two months. Its potential strike date is March 21, 2014, but astronomers say that any risk of impact is likely to decrease as further data is gathered.

[Palmetto]

Yeah, but people win "1 in 120,526,770 odds" Powerball several times a year

Indeed. However, you are not among them.

Neither am I.

[Grig]

Do you know what Russian for 'wormwood' is? It's Chernobyl (or however the heck you spell it).

[GraniteStateConservative]

I think if it hits any of us, we're probably all screwed.

[humblegunner]

Bruce Willis, please pick up the red courtesy phone.

[RightWhale]

Thirty-six megatons ought to be enough to make the asteroid go away.

That's the MIT approach. Icarus. Won't work. Need subtlety--baffle the rock with finesse.

[SaveTheChief]

Fortunately the government has put together it's list of items you need to form an Asteroid Preparedness Package. Those items include a piece of canvas to put over your house to deflect astroid debris, bottled water, batteries, a package of wheat thins crackers, and 144 rolls of bathroom tissue.

[gitmo]

Man, that's gonna hurt.

[Grig]

For those of you keeping track, we have Near Earth Asteroids due:

21 Mar 2014
01 Feb 2019
?? ??? 2022
08 Apr 2024
and one in 2028 (give or take 3 years)

In the past couple of years we have seen 2 new and very bright commets, the brightest full moon in thousands of years, the brightest Mars in tens of thousands of years, an alignment of ALL the planets, biggest meteor showers in at least a lifetime, a spectacular asteroid impact on Jupiter, and more.

Also, Sir Issac Newton predicted the end would come in 2060, and the Aztec calendar marks the end of the world as being 23 Dec 2012.

Have a nice day.

[Poohbah]

How many of us will be on the ***Free Republic Asteriod Live Thread*** when it impacts earth?

And how many will blame the "neoconservatives," "merchants," the Rothschilds, and other "un-Americans?"

How many will blame the "Missing 13th Amendment" and lawyers?

How many will claim that Bush knew in advance?

[Palmetto]

The likelihood of you winning a lottery is 1 in a bazillion. The likelihood of SOMEONE winning a lottery is 1 in 1.

1 in 909,000? As Homer Simpson once so eloquently put it, "Woo-hoo! I LIKE those odds!"

[UCANSEE2]

Don't want to scare anyone, (well, YES I DO!), but the nations of the Earth, while spending billions on things like dealing with Iraq, Iran, etc. have also sunk a major portion of their funds into NEO or NEA stations. These NEAR EARTH ORBIT, or NEAR EARTH AWW,SH*T stations are monitoring for Asteroids that might impact or come close enough to cause massive worldwide destruction of life and resources.

The governments of the world have put money into these observatories for the express purpose of trying to ensure the ruling members of the nations have a chance to escape to underground facilities and possibly survive to start over again.

What has them scared is the incident that occurred almost 6 months ago when an asteroid came by the Earth, very, very close, and none of the stations had even noticed it. For that reason stations are being erected all over the planet, to benefit those that have the power or money to be included in the survival plan.

For the rest of us, it would only be an EARLY WARNING that our death is imminent, leading to total anarchy and rioting on a scale never before imagined. For that reason, in the EVENT of a TRUE impending catastrophe due to a N.E.A. , the public will be told that there is only a one in 909,000 chance of it occurring. (not exactly telling a lie, you see)

[OESY]

DIRECTIVE From The EPA: Were a giant asteroid to hit the earth, the air may not be safe to breathe.

NOTICE From The Surgeon General: The Surgeon General has determined that running from a giant asteroid danger may be hazardous to your health as you could slip, fall and hurt yourself.

Press Release From OSHA: Legislation is being prepared to require warning labels on all buildings that might be hit by the giant asteroid.

[RicocheT]

Your Asteroid Preparedness Package lacked duct tape!

[Cyber Ninja]

the public will be told that there is only a one in 909,000 chance of it occurring.

The Beatles warned us years ago

My baby says she's traveling
on the one out of 909,000
I said move over honey
I'm traveling on that line
I said move over once
Move over twice
Come on baby, don't be cold as ice
I said I'm traveling
on the one out of 909,000

CB^Q

[UCANSEE2]

Your Asteroid Preparedness Package lacked duct tape!

No kidding. Had it been really from the government it would have specified several rolls of duct tape. (and not that stupid DUCK TAPE , but REAL DUCT TAPE)

[UCANSEE2]

You need to do more of these. Make a big list. We can have some real fun with this.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Only one person has to win this lottery. The odds are better than winning Powerball as best as I can figure. What am I missing? Is it inconsequential for an asteroid to hit the earth?

[GraniteStateConservative]

I guess put another way-- if SOMEONE gets hit, isn't that bad for all of us?

[PBRSTREETGANG]

[RightWhale]

if SOMEONE gets hit, isn't that bad for all of us?

If it hits a continent it will destroy that continent. Dust from the impact will blot out the sun worldwide, but most will have starved in the first year so will not get to appreciate the new Ice Age.