All eyes are on huge asteroid buzzing Earth on Nov. 8

1. 78

   Stacie Lposted 13 years ago

   All eyes are on huge asteroid buzzing Earth on Nov. 8
   By Leonard David
   updated 10/27/2011 1:53:20 PM ET
   
   Mark Nov. 8 on your calendar. A huge asteroid that could potentially threaten Earth in the far future will pass close by as astronomers around the world watch and measure.
   
   This space rock is asteroid 2005 YU55, a veritable mini-world roughly 1,300 feet (400 meters) wide nearly four football fields across that will zoom by Earth inside the orbit of the moon.
   
   At its closest approach, the asteroid will pass within 201,700 miles (325,000 kilometers) of Earth at 6:28 p.m. EDT on Nov. 8. The average distance between Earth and the moon is 240,000 miles (386,242 km).
   http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45064085/ns … qrFznIg9dM
   falling satellites and now an asteroid...well maybe it is the end of time

   replyreport
   1. 71

      Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      So it should be visible? Even without a telescope? Hmmm.....that should be interesting.

      replyreport
   2. 74

      KeithTaxposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I hope it can be viewed with the naked eye. I love watching these kinds of things. Thanks for the FYI.

      replyreport
   3. 93

      Jlbowdenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Hi all:
      
      I just noticed this thread and hope that I am not taking anyone's thunder away by writing about this article. I started writing about this huge asteroid enroute to earth's neighborhood two days ago. Not quite finished, it is at 560 words so far, but would like to put the finishing touches on it over the weekend. Also small world-because I see that one of the pictures I used along with my title is also a picture shown in the post. Maybe I shouldn't publish it now since it is already being spread around through the thread here, what do you all think?
      
      Jl

      replyreport
      1. 61

         paradigmsearchposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         There are already a million copies of it floating around out there. That tends to happen with NASA pics. One more won't hurt.

         replyreport
         1. 61

            paradigmsearchposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Same with flickr pics for that matter...

            replyreport
   4. 61

      Xenonlitposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Whoa! I almost slept this one since the Telegraph article in May.
      
      Nov 8 is marked and my neighbor with the telescope that he shares will be contacted.
      
      Right now, we're trying to get through California's earthquake weather without dropping off into the ocean.

      replyreport
      1. 61

         paradigmsearchposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Peru today. California tomorrow.
         
         (I am also in California.)

         replyreport
   5. 59

      mathsciguyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Greetings from the future!  It is November 23, 2011 and the world is still here.
      
      Have a lovely Nov. 8th!

      replyreport
2. 61

   paradigmsearchposted 13 years ago

   I've said it before and I will say it again.
   
   We Are All Doomed! Doomed I Say!

   replyreport
   1. 75

      wildernessposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      

      replyreport
      1. 61

         Disturbiaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Well I'd rather go out with a bang than a whimper anyway.

         replyreport
         1. 77

            Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Actually me too...I think...

            replyreport
3. 77

   Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years ago

   We're all going to die!!!
   
   
   ...some day.
   
   
   
   
   ***I can't wait to watch it!!!!

   replyreport
   1. 81

      Sneha Sunnyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      me too....!!

      replyreport
4. 61

   paradigmsearchposted 13 years ago

   Actually, they made a teeny, tiny miscalculation...

   replyreport
   1. 61

      paradigmsearchposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      

      replyreport
      1. 71

         Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         

         replyreport
      2. 81

         SimeyCposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Geesh they'll do anything to get our minds of the poor economy!!!

         replyreport
         1. 77

            Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            
            
            
            
            
            
            and
            
            
            
              ...I think I pee'd myself....

            replyreport
      3. 77

         Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         
         
         actually.... If they knew it was going to hit us and there was nothing they could about it, they probably would tell us that it was going to miss us....
         
         
         That's a little more scary...

         replyreport
5. 75

   wildernessposted 13 years ago

   Well, it's not a dinosaur killer, so maybe won't kill everyone on earth when it hits. 
   
   In fact, if it lands on Wash DC it do far more good than harm....

   replyreport
   1. 71

      Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      More good than harm? That puppy hits land anywhere, the impacts is going to be felt around the globe. It's 1300 feet wide....how much do you think would burn up entering our atmosphere? I would say not much depending on what it's made out of.

      replyreport
      1. 75

         wildernessposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         If it hits, it will hit land.  I would expect even the water in the Marianas trench to not have much effect on it;  any water it finds it will punch through as if it weren't there, albeit producing the mother of all tsunamis as it does so.
         
         But the comment was a little tongue-in-cheek; just think how much good it could do to eliminate that town.  No politicians left.  How much would that be worth?

         replyreport
         1. 71

            Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Do you really think that politicians wouldn't be in the know about where it is going to land before it is made public knowledge? They would be the first ones out of any area where it would land and leave the people to die.

            replyreport
            1. 77

               mattforteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               We could put a big fence around DC...and deport 'em back to DC if they hop the fence. No illegal Washingtonians!

               replyreport
               1. 71

                  Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Sarcasm? Unrealistic otherwise.

                  replyreport
               2. 75

                  wildernessposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  I like it!  And if they don't try to jump the fence, shoot 'em anyway.

                  replyreport
                  1. 83

                     habeeposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                     LOL!!

                     replyreport
   2. 77

      Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Since there aren't any Dinosaurs on Earth... the fact that it isn't a Dinosaur killer... isn't really of any comfort..... 

      replyreport
      1. 71

         Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         True enough.

         replyreport
      2. 77

         mattforteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Alligators are dinosaurs...

         replyreport
         1. 77

            Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Oh thank goodness... I feel better...

            replyreport
6. 78

   Stacie Lposted 13 years ago

   those predictions of the earth's demise in DEC 2012 may be off by 13 months...I hope not!
   and yeah it would be cool to watch... I wonder if NASA will televise it?

   replyreport
   1. 77

      Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I hope so... I'm sure someone will.

      replyreport
      1. 71

         Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         No need to televise it. Just stand outside....you should be able to see it, especially if it's in the orbit of Earth....and it's size is as it has been stated.

         replyreport
7. 61

   Dave Mathewsposted 13 years ago

   I am looking forward to viewing this asteroid next year.
   
   I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Every evening from about 8:00p.m. I can see this huge bright either star or satelite travelling across the skies. It is the brightest object in the sky at that time. Sometimes this star or satelite follows trailing behind the moon, other times it is out ahead of the moon depending upon which phase the moon happens to be in, but without fail this star or satelite rises about 8:00pm. in the eastern sky over Toronto. I was wondering if anyone knew whether it is a star, a nearby planet, or a manmade satelite?

   replyreport
   1. 77

      mattforteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Odd that it'd be the same time-frame, but if it's that bright it sounds like the Space Station.

      replyreport
      1. 75

         wildernessposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         No, the space station rises at all different times.  NASA site will give the time and location each night and it's always different.  It always takes a different path, too, and they will provide that as well.
         
         It's too close to rise at the same time each night.

         replyreport
         1. 77

            mattforteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Yeah, that's why I said odd about the time-frame.
            I was just hoping maybe your "same time" analysis was wrong or an exaggeration haha. But since you also know how to look up times, clearly that is not the case.

            replyreport
8. 66

   Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

   don't worry people I know some people we can call...
   
   

   replyreport
   1. 77

      Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      GO Mister "all go no quit" Harry Stamper!!!
      
      
      Yea!!!

      replyreport
      1. 66

         Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Harry actually passed away if you recall...
         
         I'm counting on this guy..
         
         

         replyreport
         1. 77

            Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Stop giving me false hopes!!!!
            
            I can't stand the emotional ups and downs!
            
            
            

            replyreport
            1. 66

               Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

               sorry.. science can be a bitch sometimes

               replyreport
               1. 77

                  Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  LMAO!

                  replyreport
   2. 93

      Jlbowdenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, these guys surely will have all the answers that we are looking for, possibly even about all of those UFO's that people have been seeing

      replyreport
9. 77

   Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years ago

   If I don't do it someone else will soooo....
   
   
   What are the chances that the last time this asteroid was this close to Earth there were aliens living in South America with the Mayans. Aliens that plotted the asteroids trajectory and decided to leave the planet because according to thier calculations it would return to destroy the Earth at ....now.
   
   
   

   replyreport
   1. 66

      Greek Oneposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      50 - 50

      replyreport
10. 93

    Jlbowdenposted 13 years ago

    Hi Paradigm:
    
    Thanks for that extra bit of reassurance!
    
    Jl

    replyreport
    1. 61

       paradigmsearchposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       

       replyreport
11. 0

    Wilfionposted 13 years ago

    I doubt I will be looking at the night sky to see it, because the sky is always too cloudy in England, and nothing is ever seen.  This is probably a good thing though, because I have seen The Day of the Triffids, and therefore know what could happen.

    replyreport
    1. 61

       paradigmsearchposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I've read the book. Truly excellent!
       
       I missed the movie. I'll have to do something about that.

       replyreport
    2. 60

       Hollie Thomasposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Splendid film.

       replyreport
12. 77

    Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years ago

    After this thing wizzes by how many think people will realize it was a global 'wake up call' to get us to start working together towards space exploration?
    
    Talk about the 'Hand of God'...

    replyreport
    1. 71

       Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I would disagree. Space exploration isn't necessary as it is for us to learn to use our resources better and live peaceful. Space exploration would be something to achieve afterward.

       replyreport
       1. 59

          Captain Redbeardposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I agree, I think all the money in this department are wasted when there are schools closing and streets crumbling in america. Space exploration doesn't fix any problems.

          replyreport
          1. 77

             mattforteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             You do realize that most of our advanced technologies exist because of the space program, right?
             
             Here's a list for ya:
             Cordless power tools
             Smoke alarms
             Insulation
             Scratch resistant lenses
             Trash compactors
             Shock absorbing helmets
             Home security systems
             Flat, low profile TV's
             Sports bras
             Quartz Crystal clocks and watches
             Solar energy
             Various medical and surgical tools
             CD's
             Need more?
             
             If you don't think space exploration does anything for us, or fixes any problems - then I expect you to stop using all of these. Otherwise, you're a hypocrite.

             replyreport
             1. 59

                Captain Redbeardposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                Necessity is the mother of invention is it not? Do you not think these things wouldn’t have become if we didn't have the space program? The fact remains, American education is lacking regardless of what the space program has given us thus far. Why wouldn't we cut spending in areas that we do not need and plug them into the voids where they are needed like education? On the tail end of your comment, my ignorance to what the space program has given us is irrelevant to my beliefs. It would be hypocritical for me to work for the space program and be against it not using the technology that was birthed from it and being against it. That's like saying I do not approve of my wife's parents in anyway shape or form but am a hypocrite for marrying their daughter.

                replyreport
    2. 77

       AEvansposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I agree.

       replyreport
13. 61

    paradigmsearchposted 13 years ago

    DOOMED I SAY!
    
    The Latest:
    
    
    ""This is not a potentially hazardous asteroid (yeah, right), just a good opportunity to study one," National Science Foundation astronomer Thomas Statler says. NASA and the NSF plan a series of radar telescope and other observations starting Friday, aimed at mapping the asteroid's surface and chemistry."
    
    http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/140489 … -next-week

    replyreport
    1. 78

       Stacie Lposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       up close and personal
       everyone should adopt one.....

       replyreport
14. 78

    Stacie Lposted 13 years ago

    The asteroid 2005 YU55, which is about 1,300 feet (400 meters) across, will make its closest approach to Earth at 6:28 p.m. EST (2328 GMT) today. At that point, the space rock will be traveling at about 29,000 mph and be about 201,700 miles (324,600 kilometers) from Earth — closer than the moon, which orbits 238,864 miles (384,499 km) from us on average.
    
    The flyby will mark the closest such a big space rock has come to Earth since 1976. But there's no need to scurry down to the basement bunker to await an asteroid impact, researchers say.
    that's really close!

    replyreport