Comments on: Another Asteroid Passes Close to Earth http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/ Space and astronomy news Sun, 8 Nov 2009 12:39:08 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Terry http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-40798 Terry Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:39:39 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-40798 I don't understand it, I'm a star gazer and I knew instantly when I looked up that that "fuzzy spot" did not belong where I was seeing it. If I had not happened to catch a small article in the paper a few days later about a near earth asteroid I would have convinced myself I was seeing things. How can an asteroid so close it looks like a comet be blown off like it was nothing? It was beautiful, and ignored. I did not happen to note the exact weekend that I saw this, but am amazed that there is not more about the siting, it was as beautiful as the last comet that went by. Where are the pictures? I don't understand it, I'm a star gazer and I knew instantly when I looked up that that "fuzzy spot" did not belong where I was seeing it. If I had not happened to catch a small article in the paper a few days later about a near earth asteroid I would have convinced myself I was seeing things. How can an asteroid so close it looks like a comet be blown off like it was nothing? It was beautiful, and ignored. I did not happen to note the exact weekend that I saw this, but am amazed that there is not more about the siting, it was as beautiful as the last comet that went by. Where are the pictures?

]]> By: Eric http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-12947 Eric Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:32:17 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-12947 Yeah, uh, I doubt that. The only way the "shooting star" phenomenon can take place is for a rock or other object to be slamming into the atmosphere with intense friction and g-forces. This asteroid was a third of the distance to the moon away from the planet. You probably saw a plane, David. Yeah, uh, I doubt that. The only way the "shooting star" phenomenon can take place is for a rock or other object to be slamming into the atmosphere with intense friction and g-forces. This asteroid was a third of the distance to the moon away from the planet. You probably saw a plane, David.

]]> By: David http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11914 David Mon, 11 Feb 2008 08:17:25 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11914 So this is what I saw? Around 6PM PST? Right? If so, the sun had just about set, and while driving down the 405 w/ no stars out yet, in the Southern sky, I saw a HUGE, slowish moving "shooting star." Amazing. So this is what I saw? Around 6PM PST? Right? If so, the sun had just about set, and while driving down the 405 w/ no stars out yet, in the Southern sky, I saw a HUGE, slowish moving "shooting star." Amazing.

]]> By: Ute http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11865 Ute Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:18:01 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11865 http://www.focus.de/wissen/wissenschaft/faszination-wissen_did_16884.html Is this a piece from TU24? Why in subtropical China Snow and Icestorms happens? Why suddently a meteriod in Antarktis is found? I think, this looks not weathered with the sharp edges! http://www.focus.de/wissen/wissenschaft/faszination-wissen_did_16884.html

Is this a piece from TU24? Why in subtropical China Snow and Icestorms happens? Why suddently a meteriod in Antarktis is found? I think, this looks not weathered with the sharp edges!

]]> By: Andy http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11858 Andy Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:09:45 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11858 Whoops - Typo. That should be 77,000 tons of TNT. Whoops – Typo.

That should be 77,000 tons of TNT.

]]> By: Andy http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11856 Andy Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:07:03 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11856 Just a back of a fag-packet calculation :- From NEO website - Diameter 8.2 to18 metres - Call it 13m. Relative velocity =13.98 Km/Sec. Typical rock density = 2.5 tonnes/m^3. So mass of rock = 3300 tonnes. That makes the energy on impact around the equavalent of 7700 tons of TNT. Ouch! Just a back of a fag-packet calculation :-
From NEO website – Diameter 8.2 to18 metres – Call it 13m. Relative velocity =13.98 Km/Sec.
Typical rock density = 2.5 tonnes/m^3.
So mass of rock = 3300 tonnes.
That makes the energy on impact around the equavalent of 7700 tons of TNT.
Ouch!

]]> By: Ron http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11507 Ron Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:21:25 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11507 The picture of Dactyl, Ida's tiny moon, is a tactic the major TV news networks use. A picture unrelated to the story. An illustration of this tiny rock would have been better idea. The picture of Dactyl, Ida's tiny moon, is a tactic the major TV news networks use. A picture unrelated to the story. An illustration of this tiny rock would have been better idea.

]]> By: giovanni http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11477 giovanni Fri, 08 Feb 2008 15:22:16 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11477 the dangers that our earth is continually exposed to allien large rocks highlights once again the need to be prepared and to take actions to prevent these cataclysmic events yet this asteroid was able to skim the planet undetected our technology should be more directed i believe towards being prepared and able to take counter action against these hazards and less against fighting wars amongst ourselves. the dangers that our earth is continually exposed to allien large rocks highlights once again the need to be prepared and to take actions to prevent these cataclysmic events yet this asteroid was able to skim the planet undetected our technology should be more directed i believe towards being prepared and able to take counter action against these hazards and less against fighting wars amongst ourselves.

]]> By: RAy mowlam http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11466 RAy mowlam Fri, 08 Feb 2008 13:15:56 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11466 if the meteor that hit peru was 2m and caused a crater 15m wide then this one could have caused a crater up to 100m wide if it had hit... thats a mighty big hole... and we arnt worried???? maybe it would be beter to have only a couple of days warning and get it all over with rather than a few months or years? if the meteor that hit peru was 2m and caused a crater 15m wide then this one could have caused a crater up to 100m wide if it had hit… thats a mighty big hole… and we arnt worried???? maybe it would be beter to have only a couple of days warning and get it all over with rather than a few months or years?

]]> By: Peter http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11349 Peter Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:37:04 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11349 Its important to note here that as the search for dangerous asteroids becomes more mature, and the tools and techniques get better, and the power/efficiency of CCD cameras improves: We are find smaller and smaller asteroids. I think the record for the smallest found is about 4 Meters wide now. Something that small hits the atmosphere every few years. So its only a matter of time now before our hard working astronomers pick up an incoming "boggie". I don't think people appreciate how much work has gone into the approach and how refined the system has become in these past few years. It will never catch everything, but the process of the hunt, the governance and the credibility of the process used is a great achievement and a credit to all involved. At least we have a credible process to assist manage the innevitable, the public response to it and the media's sensationalism of it. Its important to note here that as the search for dangerous asteroids becomes more mature, and the tools and techniques get better, and the power/efficiency of CCD cameras improves: We are find smaller and smaller asteroids.

I think the record for the smallest found is about 4 Meters wide now. Something that small hits the atmosphere every few years. So its only a matter of time now before our hard working astronomers pick up an incoming "boggie".

I don't think people appreciate how much work has gone into the approach and how refined the system has become in these past few years. It will never catch everything, but the process of the hunt, the governance and the credibility of the process used is a great achievement and a credit to all involved.

At least we have a credible process to assist manage the innevitable, the public response to it and the media's sensationalism of it.

]]> By: Bob http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11330 Bob Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:21:39 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11330 albiet it was an SUV size, no big deal unless it hit a major city or right off the coast to make a very big wave... albiet it was an SUV size, no big deal unless it hit a major city or right off the coast to make a very big wave…

]]> By: Bob http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11329 Bob Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:20:54 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11329 They discovered this 2 Days before it passed less than a 3rd the distance to the moon? Doesn't that make anyone's sphincter pucker just a bit? They discovered this 2 Days before it passed less than a 3rd the distance to the moon? Doesn't that make anyone's sphincter pucker just a bit?

]]> By: Anne http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11299 Anne Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:31:11 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11299 I just went out and measured two SUVs. Mine measures 24 ft. and my neighbor's 26. I would say that SUV is a reasonable term. In my limited experience, asteroids typically end up being smaller rather than larger, thus I would much rather an author understate with a smaller comparison than sensationalize with the largest. If you read the entire article, it specifically notes that, contrary to usual thought, scientists are now learning that, given the right circumstances, even the smaller rocks can pose serious threats. I certainly would not call the recent Peruvian impact "not dangerous." That 13m crater could have just as easily been in the middle of a school building. That was created by a .2m-2m rock .. a very small object. Thank you to Action for Space for noting the proposed NEO Preparedness Act. This is a very serious issue, especially considering that scientists are having to adjust that dangerous vs. not dangerous threshhold. I just went out and measured two SUVs. Mine measures 24 ft. and my neighbor's 26. I would say that SUV is a reasonable term.

In my limited experience, asteroids typically end up being smaller rather than larger, thus I would much rather an author understate with a smaller comparison than sensationalize with the largest.

If you read the entire article, it specifically notes that, contrary to usual thought, scientists are now learning that, given the right circumstances, even the smaller rocks can pose serious threats. I certainly would not call the recent Peruvian impact "not dangerous." That 13m crater could have just as easily been in the middle of a school building. That was created by a .2m-2m rock .. a very small object.

Thank you to Action for Space for noting the proposed NEO Preparedness Act. This is a very serious issue, especially considering that scientists are having to adjust that dangerous vs. not dangerous threshhold.

]]> By: Eric http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11297 Eric Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:04:30 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11297 I'd bet that asteroid gets about 3,000 MPG. I wish I could go 17,000 MPH! On a serious note, that is staggeringly close. Imagine if that thing was maybe twice or three times the size and on target to hit our blue and green rock. 2 days is a very small margin. I'm sure that's directly attributed to the fact that it was a relatively small object. I'd bet that asteroid gets about 3,000 MPG. I wish I could go 17,000 MPH!

On a serious note, that is staggeringly close. Imagine if that thing was maybe twice or three times the size and on target to hit our blue and green rock. 2 days is a very small margin. I'm sure that's directly attributed to the fact that it was a relatively small object.

]]> By: Nancy Atkinson http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11281 Nancy Atkinson Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:39:29 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11281 Thanks, Big Ian for catching the error. It's been corrected. Nancy Thanks, Big Ian for catching the error. It's been corrected.
Nancy

]]> By: Alex http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11280 Alex Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:36:57 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11280 Also, 24 - 45 feet DIA is not an SUV, it is a large truck. Also, 24 – 45 feet DIA is not an SUV, it is a large truck.

]]> By: Alex http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11279 Alex Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:35:32 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11279 SUV sized? What kind of MPG does that thing get? BTW SUV sized doesnt = dangerous, it = would have been great to see that thing burn up. SUV sized? What kind of MPG does that thing get?

BTW SUV sized doesnt = dangerous, it = would have been great to see that thing burn up.

]]> By: Big Ian http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11265 Big Ian Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:33:03 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11265 Interesting story but Feb 4th was Monday not Tuesday Cheers Interesting story but Feb 4th was Monday not Tuesday

Cheers

]]> By: www.actionforspace.com http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11263 www.actionforspace.com Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:29:25 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11263 Asteroids can be devastating. Thats why Rep Rohrabacher has put forth the NEO Preparedness act. I posted the text of the bill as well as links to the committee members in congress who are considering the bill. It is being deliberated in the committee this week! Be sure to read the bill at my site and contact you legislator (who I have also listed) so that you can weigh in on this important issue. Asteroids can be devastating. Thats why Rep Rohrabacher has put forth the NEO Preparedness act. I posted the text of the bill as well as links to the committee members in congress who are considering the bill. It is being deliberated in the committee this week!

Be sure to read the bill at my site and contact you legislator (who I have also listed) so that you can weigh in on this important issue.

]]> By: ch:ris http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-11228 ch:ris Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:58:55 +0000 http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/another-asteroid-passes-close-to-earth/#comment-11228 1/3 the distance of the moon.. thats what i call close. 1/3 the distance of the moon..
thats what i call close.

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