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

[LiteKeeper]

ALERT! ALERT! ALERT! - "Danger Will Robinson"

[JoeSixPack1]

Now why do they have to pick my Birthday (3/21) for the doomsday scenario? No fair! I was planning on going out that night in 2014.

[Tunehead54]

We're all gonna die.

---

Look on the bright side - it comes before April 15th! ;-)

Instead of saving to pay your taxes just go ahead and have a big 'ol end of the world party! Don't forget to invite me!

[Capriole]

This is one reason we have all those nuclear weapons. Go, Bruce!

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Or how about the headline from Chronicles or some other paleo-Buchananite rag (which would apply as well to Libertarian Party pronouncements)?

Asteroid may hit Planet Earth on March 21, 2014

Country Club RINOs and neocons assume imperial posture to "save" Earth in the absence of a clear Constitutional provision allowing them to do so
Saving Countries which don't ask for the help, nor can they do it on their own - the height of neocon arrogance? By Lllewellyn H. Rockwell

The asteroid and illegal immigrants - Why should European Culture save them? by Patrick J. Buchanan

[Consort]

[Hatteras]

"What does "fancy a punt" mean???"

I thought that was something you have when you wake up early in the morning...

[Consort]

Fancy a punt = speculate?

[al_c]

That does it. I'm buying Chivas from now on.

Why on earth would you throw money away like that?! Try MacClellan or, if you don't want to spend that kind o' money, get Glenfiddich.

[Texas_Dawg]

The asteroid and illegal immigrants - Why should European Culture save them? by Patrick J. Buchanan

Mmmmmmmm... European culture...

[dighton]

Tehran (IRNA):

SPACE ZIONISTS PLOT BIGGEST-EVER AGGRESSION AGAINST ISLAMIC PEOPLES

[Mr. Mojo]

Time and location, please.

Mecca, during the Haj. ...(Okay, I can dream:)

[kidd]

Whew!

For a minute there I thought it said that there was a 1 in 90,900 chance. Why that's almost 50-50!

[DustyMoment]

Are these scientists the same ones who tell us what they "think" the weather will do tomorrow??

And we're supposed to lose sleep over something ten years in the future?

I'm going back to sleep now - wake me up when something REALLY important occurs . . . like John Kerry announcing that he's running for president . . . AGAIN!!!

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Sweet! No need to pay my bills anymore!

[TheBigB]

Dammit...the Cable Guy is coming that day.

[NCjim]

Look out if you live in Durham County, NC - Durham Library Patrons Face Mark on Credit for Unpaid Late Fees or Johnston County, NC - Johnston County Library Cracks Down On Overdue Book Violators

These are series crimes! It is a hugh problem here...

[RonF]

That does it. I'm buying Chivas from now on.

That's what my Dad taught me: "Buying cheap booze is a waste of valuable drinking time". He's still with us at 78, so I figure he's an authority on the subject.

[cogitator]

Now is the time for 'Spaceguard'