Asteroid 2003 qq47 has a diameter of approximately 1.24 km, and an approximate mass of 2.0×1012kg. It is thought to be traveling through space at 30 km/s and weighs in around 2.6 billion tons. This is a midsize asteroid at best, but it has gained quite a bit of press because ill-informed journalists hyped it as possibly impacting Earth in 2014. Luckily, scientists were able to prove the asteroid was not a danger to Earth.
The size and mass of the asteroid would indeed cause quite an explosion. It would impact the Earth with 350,000 megatons of energy. That would be enough force to cause widespread devastation at the original impact zone. Additional damage could result from earthquakes and tsunamis. It is hard to estimate the collateral damage from ejecta in the atmosphere and the resulting climate changes.
Now, as to why it was hyped as a possible impactor. When it was first discovered in August, 2003 it was given a 1 on the Torino impact hazard scale. All asteroids are given a score of 1 when they are first discovered, pending further study. Initial plots of its orbit indicated a 1 in 250,000 chance that the asteroid would collide with Earth in March of 2014. After careful study of the asteroid’s orbit, NASA was able to refute the notion that it would ever impact and lowered its score to zero.
NASA posts the Torino impact hazard scale score of every newly discovered asteroid on its Impact Risk Page. Asteroid 2003 qq47 was actually the fourth asteroid in 2003 that was given a score of 1. Scoring a 1 on the Torino scale simply means ”A routine discovery in which a pass near the Earth is predicted that poses no unusual level of danger. Current calculations show the chance of collision is extremely unlikely with no cause for public attention or public concern. New telescopic observations very likely will lead to re-assignment to Level 0.”, according to NASA’s website.
Over reaction among journalists who did not fully understand the Torino scale caused some panic among average citizens at the time. Scientist have considered eliminating the scale in order to prevent widespread panic. Educating the general public might be a better method. Either way, it is a relief to know that asteroid 2003 qq47 has been downgraded to a zero threat and that scientists are able to find asteroids before they can threaten our planet.
Wikipedia has a very interesting article on the asteroid 2003 qq47. The Universe Today archives has a good piece on the topic, also. Astronomy Cast has a nice article on death from the skies that is related to this article.
Sources:
http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news138.html
http://impact.arc.nasa.gov/news_detail.cfm?ID=128
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%28143649%29_2003_QQ47
Comments on this entry are closed.