Science Crikey, Surprise, a late Astroid alert .

ROYC75 · 03-04-2009, 01:47 PM

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,503164,00.html

Missed us Monday by 40,000 miles . Next time around, BOOM.

Surprise Asteroid Makes Near-Miss of Earth

Monday, March 02, 2009

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Wait! Did you hear that whooshing sound?

A small asteroid buzzed by Earth Monday, though only real astronomy geeks in the Pacific would have noticed.

The rock, estimated to be no more than 200 feet wide, zoomed past our planet at an altitude of 40,000 miles at 1:44 p.m. universal time — or 8:44 EST.

Dubbed 2009 DD45, it was discovered only on Friday by Australian astronomers.

Forty thousand miles may sound like a lot, but it's only about one-seventh of the way to the moon, and less than twice as far out as many telecommunications satellites.

Had 2009 DD45 hit the Earth, it would have exploded on or near the surface with the force of a large nuclear blast — not very reassuring when you consider humanity had only about three days' notice.

According to the Australian news Web site Crikey, the asteroid is likely to be drawn in by Earth's gravity, meaning it may return for many more near misses in the future.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 03-04-2009, 01:49 PM

As much as that one would suck, the real worrisome ones are 10-1000 times that size.

**Donger** · 03-04-2009, 01:51 PM

Meh. Spit ball.

seclark · 03-04-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

According to the Australian news Web site Crikey, the asteroid is likely to be drawn in by Earth's gravity, meaning it may return for many more near misses in the future.

we're ready!

ROYC75 · 03-04-2009, 01:55 PM

A large nuclear blast is not small ! Sure there are bigger ones out there. But as close as this one made it.

'Hamas' Jenkins · 03-04-2009, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

A large nuclear blast is not small ! Sure there are bigger ones out there. But as close as this one made it.

A large nuclear blast isn't as big as you think it is.

**Donger** · 03-04-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

A large nuclear blast is not small ! Sure there are bigger ones out there. But as close as this one made it.

It wouldn't have caused a nuclear explosion had it entered our atmosphere or even reached water/land.

Dr. Johnny Fever · 03-04-2009, 02:09 PM

It'd rock to be standing at ground zero drinking a cran-grape snapple looking up and pooping while your pants are still on when one hits. I'd rather that than be running pointlessly from the wave from a few miles away.

I'd make sure "this is gonna leave a mark" were my last words. That or "hmmm... this is tasty. I didn't even know Snapple made a cran-grape."

**Donger** · 03-04-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

But as close as this one made it.

We got buzzed in 2004 (I think) by a rock that was 30 meters. That one was closer, too. Something like 25,000 miles.

kchero · 03-04-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

Meh. Spit ball.

I know your joking, but it wouldn't take much of an asteroid (size that is) to completely put this earth back into the stoneage.

**Donger** · 03-04-2009, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kchero

I know your joking, but it wouldn't take much of an asteroid (size that is) to completely put this earth back into the stoneage.

It would take a rock about 1km to cause global devastation.

tooge · 03-04-2009, 02:14 PM

Meh. Just send some guys up with a shuttle, preferable some miners. Place a nuclear blast just right and BOOM, it misses earth. Sadly, the lead miner will no doubt leave a hot daughter behind, who, just so happened to be in love with one of the other miners. But hey, it is a small price to pay to save humanity.

**doomy3** · 03-04-2009, 02:26 PM

I heard that Matt Stafford was tied to the astroid.

keg in kc · 03-04-2009, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doomy3

I heard that Matt Stafford was tied to the astroid.

Sanchez repelled it with a well placed out.

**Donger** · 03-04-2009, 02:28 PM

I just noticed the astroid. Shouldn't hemorrhoids be called astroids?

03-04-2009, 01:47 PM
ROYC75 Time For Your Wake Up Call !!! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Barn Yard Casino cash: $5733900	Crikey, Surprise, a late Astroid alert . http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,503164,00.html Missed us Monday by 40,000 miles . Next time around, BOOM. Surprise Asteroid Makes Near-Miss of Earth Monday, March 02, 2009 * Print * ShareThis Wait! Did you hear that whooshing sound? A small asteroid buzzed by Earth Monday, though only real astronomy geeks in the Pacific would have noticed. The rock, estimated to be no more than 200 feet wide, zoomed past our planet at an altitude of 40,000 miles at 1:44 p.m. universal time — or 8:44 EST. Dubbed 2009 DD45, it was discovered only on Friday by Australian astronomers. Forty thousand miles may sound like a lot, but it's only about one-seventh of the way to the moon, and less than twice as far out as many telecommunications satellites. Had 2009 DD45 hit the Earth, it would have exploded on or near the surface with the force of a large nuclear blast — not very reassuring when you consider humanity had only about three days' notice. According to the Australian news Web site Crikey, the asteroid is likely to be drawn in by Earth's gravity, meaning it may return for many more near misses in the future.
Posts: 36,974

03-04-2009, 01:49 PM	#2
'Hamas' Jenkins Now you've pissed me off! Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $8009572	As much as that one would suck, the real worrisome ones are 10-1000 times that size. __________________ "When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.”--Abraham Lincoln
Posts: 74,825

03-04-2009, 01:51 PM	#3
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $10399900 VARSITY	Meh. Spit ball. __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 180,616

03-04-2009, 01:55 PM	#5
ROYC75 Time For Your Wake Up Call !!! Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Barn Yard Casino cash: $5733900	A large nuclear blast is not small ! Sure there are bigger ones out there. But as close as this one made it. __________________ Our society is run by insane people for insane objectives. I think we're being run by maniacs for maniacal ends and I think I'm liable to be put away as insane for expressing that. That's what's insane about it. John Lennon
Posts: 36,974

03-04-2009, 02:09 PM	#8
Dr. Johnny Fever stax of wax Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	It'd rock to be standing at ground zero drinking a cran-grape snapple looking up and pooping while your pants are still on when one hits. I'd rather that than be running pointlessly from the wave from a few miles away. I'd make sure "this is gonna leave a mark" were my last words. That or "hmmm... this is tasty. I didn't even know Snapple made a cran-grape."
Posts: 34,865

03-04-2009, 02:14 PM	#12
tooge MVP Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Liberty, MO Casino cash: $3994112	Meh. Just send some guys up with a shuttle, preferable some miners. Place a nuclear blast just right and BOOM, it misses earth. Sadly, the lead miner will no doubt leave a hot daughter behind, who, just so happened to be in love with one of the other miners. But hey, it is a small price to pay to save humanity.
Posts: 14,964

03-04-2009, 02:26 PM	#13
doomy3 Supporter Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $5403539	I heard that Matt Stafford was tied to the astroid.
Posts: 12,854

03-04-2009, 02:28 PM	#15
Donger "Think BOOM!" Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: 33.675° N 106.475° W Casino cash: $10399900 VARSITY	I just noticed the astroid. Shouldn't hemorrhoids be called astroids? __________________ I think the young people enjoy it when I "get down," verbally, don't you?
Posts: 180,616