Science and Space

space and astronomy articles.

The danger of asteroid hitting Earth

There’s a 1-in-300 chance that a recently discovered asteroid, named 2004 MN4, could hit Earth in 2029. 2004 MN4 was discovered in June 2004 and rediscovered this month.At about 1,320 feet in length, it would have about 1,600 megatons of energy. It takes less than a year to go all the way around the sun, and on each orbit it passes by Earth’s orbit twice. It is also nearly on the same plane as Earth’s orbit.

But the perceived risk probably will be eliminated once astronomers get more detail about its orbit.

(Please see coming entry "How sciencetists calculate the chance of an asteroid hitting Earth". It will be posted in 2 days time)

posted by: kyawoo at 11:13 | link | comments (6) |
asteroids

Comments:

#1  24 December 2004 - 14:48

 

Sounds like it's time for more meteor movies!

FerdinandTCat

#2  25 December 2004 - 00:31

 

It may turn out to be helpful that the US still have so many nukes...

http://motls.blogspot.com/

Anonymous

#3  25 December 2004 - 21:51

 

..or maybe the risk might be increased once the full details r out!

Anonymous

#4  25 December 2004 - 23:18

 

Read about this a few days ago. 2029. At least I'll be past 50! 1-300 chance is a good chance that it will miss!

Anonymous

#5  26 December 2004 - 09:29

 

Where's Bruce Willis when you need him?

MC + HYN

ЯuKsaK
http://ruksak.blogspot.com/

Anonymous

#6  26 December 2004 - 10:02

 

I'm sure that the risk will change once more is known about the asteroid's trajectory; I believe that astronomers love to err on the side of caution. ;)

Anonymous

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