It’s Pure Luck That an Asteroid Didn’t Destroy the Earth Today

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Small asteroid to zip harmlessly past Earth

PASADENA, Calif. — NASA scientists have updated information on the path of a newly discovered asteroid that is set to make a safe flyby past Earth.

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena says the latest trajectory indicates that the closest approach for asteroid 2010 GA6 will be just slightly beyond the moon's orbit, about 270,000 miles from Earth. The time of its closest pass will be 7:06 p.m. PDT on Thursday.

NASA routinely tracks asteroids and comets that make close approaches to Earth. In January, another small asteroid made an even closer approach to Earth, passing within 76,000 miles.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — NASA says a newly discovered asteroid will whiz harmlessly past Earth on Thursday.

The asteroid dubbed 2010 GA6 will safely fly by the planet shortly after 4 p.m. PDT.

At the time of its closest pass, the 71-foot-wide space rock will be 223,000 miles away from Earth. That's about 16,000 miles closer than the moon.

NASA routinely tracks asteroids and comets that make close approaches to Earth. In January, another small asteroid made an even closer approach to Earth, passing within 76,000 miles.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gAQfxYfs4NSeOyCre6LgFYZmo17QD9EV892G3

It’s Pure Luck That an Asteroid Didn’t Destroy the Earth Today

First of all, let’s all commend CBS News for achievements in lede writing: “For people worried that the planet will explode from an asteroid crash, you can breathe easy today.” This isn’t just flashy rhetoric—it’s true! According to this same zippy article, a 71-foot-wide asteroid will fly between the moon’s orbit and Earth tonight, narrowly missing our beloved planet.

This makes sense as, actually, scientists estimate that the Earth most likely won’t be destroyed until at least 2014, when an asteroid that “could have the effect of 20 million Hiroshima atomic bombs” will approach (and, you know, maybe hit!) the planet. Until then, take a cue from CBS News and ... breathe easy.

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2010/04/its-pure-luck-that-an-asteroid-didnt-destroy-the-earth-today.html

Edited April 9, 2010 by ##########

[luckytxn 2,264]

We could maybe send up some derrick workers and drill a big hole into that one and then detonate a nuke. If we get lucky it will split in two and then miss us.

[_Simpson_ 250]

A close call but I hope it doesn't upset the equilibrium of earth therefore causing earth to capsize!

Edited April 9, 2010 by _Simpson_

[scandal 951]

This is Obama's fault too, right? Surely you see the connection?

[_Simpson_ 250]

This is Obama's fault too, right? Surely you see the connection?

I dont have a history of blaming Obama for everything. This was all about getting another laugh at the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, I'm sorry for you that this absurd collection of thoughts happened to come from your beloved democratic party.

Edited April 9, 2010 by _Simpson_

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

I dont have a history of blaming Obama for everything. This was all about getting another laugh at the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard, I'm sorry for you that this absurd collection of thoughts happened to come from your beloved democratic party.

This means, of course, that republicans don't think, they just tap their toes in public washrooms and teabag each other.

Edited April 9, 2010 by IR5FORMUMSIE

[SMOKE 1,426]

This means, of course, that republicans don't think, they just tap their toes in public washrooms and teabag each other.

i just wish barney would either spit or swallow. i can't understand a damn thing that guy gargles.

[Nagishkaw 510]

"Luck" ?

Through whom also He created the world He upholds the universe by the word of His power.

[PhiLandShiR 18]

I think orbital mechanics has more to do with it than luck...

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

This is Obama's fault too, right? Surely you see the connection?

Well, he did defund all future manned space missions, so I guess there won't be any astronauts flying out there in 2014 to destroy the planet killing asteroid, should the need arise. I sure hope the Russians still have a few "working" nukes, should the need arise. Maybe we can ask the Persians, or the North Koreans, to send a missile in time.

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

i just wish barney would either spit or swallow. i can't understand a damn thing that guy gargles.

No one cares about someone's sexual orientatation unless it is in opposition to his or her public policy. Democrat or Republican, no one gets a pass in my mind. Republicans are all good and Democrats are evil incarnate, hypocrite, much? The false materialistic Messianists really get on my nerves. At least Barney Frank is open about being gay.

"Luck" ?

Through whom also He HE created the world He upholds the universe by the word of His HIS power.

How soon they forget.

OMT,

Kahoutek lives.

Edited April 9, 2010 by IR5FORMUMSIE

[SMOKE 1,426]

No one cares about someone's sexual orientatation unless it is in opposition to his or her public policy. Democrat or Republican, no one gets a pass in my mind. Republicans are all good and Democrats are evil incarnate, hypocrite, much? The false materialistic Messianists really get on my nerves. At least Barney Frank is open about being gay.

so why the republicans teabagging each other comment? hypocrite much?

[IR5FORMUMSIE 850]

so why the republicans teabagging each other comment? hypocrite much?

Me thinks that you doth protest too much. A hypocrite is someone who says or does one thing in public and something else in private. If I criticize the Republican party that makes me a hypocrite? In what way? Please explain, it might be edifying. But please either spit or swallow so that I can understand you, I wouldn't want you to sound like your hero Barney Frank. Let me remind you that Republicans (almost exclusively) have tried to catch the wave of distrust of the government by latching on to this so-called teabagging movement. They have fomented so much anger and animosity that it has gotten out of hand. Gay-bashing has become de rigeur for being a Republican, yet they seem to have a proclivity for homosexual encounters. It is more newsworthy because they present themselves as the defenders of family values, etc. I am hardly a fan of Obama or his policies. I didn't want a tan Richard Nixon in office, but that's what we have. _Simpson_ started bashing the Democratic Party but that's OK in your eyes. Why would you be interested in Barney Frank's sexual behavior anyways, unless, of course...

[SMOKE 1,426]

Me thinks that you doth protest too much. A hypocrite is someone who says or does one thing in public and something else in private. If I criticize the Republican party that makes me a hypocrite? In what way? Please explain, it might be edifying. But please either spit or swallow so that I can understand you, I wouldn't want you to sound like your hero Barney Frank. Let me remind you that Republicans (almost exclusively) have tried to catch the wave of distrust of the government by latching on to this so-called teabagging movement. They have fomented so much anger and animosity that it has gotten out of hand. Gay-bashing has become de rigeur for being a Republican, yet they seem to have a proclivity for homosexual encounters. It is more newsworthy because they present themselves as the defenders of family values, etc. I am hardly a fan of Obama or his policies. I didn't want a tan Richard Nixon in office, but that's what we have. _Simpson_ started bashing the Democratic Party but that's OK in your eyes. Why would you be interested in Barney Frank's sexual behavior anyways, unless, of course...

blah blah blah ####### ever...i quit reading almost immediatley. you are made an (offensive) comment about republicans as a whole being gay.(not true) and (in jest i assume) i made an (offensive) comment about an openly gay democrat. (in jest)& (you yourself said & we all know he is openly gay, so it true)

you're a hypocrite because you got all bent over me doing what you did.

maybe hypocrite is the wrong wording.

how about double standards much?

btw: it has more than one meaning.

hyp·o·crite   /ˈhɪpəkrɪt/ Show Spelled[hip-uh-krit] Show IPA

–noun

1.a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.

2.a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, esp. one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.

[Niels Bohr 72]

Here is the problem with the theory of using nukes to obliterate an asteroid. Asteroids has gravitational pull. We may send a nuke to shatter it. However, there's a good chance that the asteroid pieces will re-combine fast enough before it hits the earth, thereby, rendering this solution useless.

The article of this phenomena was released this past week. I'll post it. I think it's from New Scientist or the journal Physics.