13 replies to this topic

[Adeena]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99942_Apophis

99942 Apophis (previously known by its provisional designation 2004 MN4) is a near-Earth asteroid that caused a brief period of concern in December 2004 because initial observations indicated a relatively large probability that it would strike the Earth in 2029. Additional observations provided improved predictions that eliminated the possibility of an impact on Earth or the Moon in 2029. However there remained a possibility that during the 2029 close encounter with Earth, Apophis would pass through a "gravitational keyhole", a precise region in space no more than about 400 meters across, that would set up a future impact on April 13, 2036. This possibility kept the asteroid at Level 1 on the Torino impact hazard scale until August 2006. It broke the record for the highest level on the Torino Scale, being, for only a short time, a level 4, before it was lowered.[1]

Additional observations of the trajectory of Apophis revealed the "keyhole" would likely be missed and on August 5, 2006, Apophis was lowered to a Level 0 on the Torino Scale. As of October 19, 2006, the impact probability for April 13, 2036, is estimated at 1 in 45,000. An additional impact date in 2037 has been identified; however, the impact probability for that encounter is 1 in 12.3 million.

Despite the fact that there is no longer any significant probability of an Earth impact, the Planetary Society is offering $50,000 in prize awards for a few of the best plans to put a tracking device on or near the asteroid.[2]

http://www.space.com/news/051103_asteroid_apophis.html

The potential for a newly discovered asteroid smacking into the Earth in 2036 cannot be discounted. NASA has sketched out a response strategy in the outside possibility that the space rock becomes a true threat.

NASA's action plan was the result of prodding by a group of astronauts, scientists and other technical specialists uneasy about the current lack of action to protect the Earth from the impact of near Earth objects (NEOs).

The object was found last year through the efforts of NASA's Spaceguard Survey. In 1998 NASA formally initiated the Spaceguard Survey by adopting the objective of finding 90 percent of the near Earth asteroids larger than 3,280 feet (one kilometer) diameter within the next decade - before the end of 2008.

Asteroid 99942 Apophis - first labeled as 2004 MN4 -- is estimated to be roughly 1,000 feet (320 meters) in diameter. Were it to strike Earth, it would not set off global havoc but would generate significant local or regional damage, experts say.

Worrisome to asteroid watchers is the exceptionally close flyby of Earth by Apophis on April 13, 2029. So close in fact, the space rock will be naked-eye visible as it darts by. And what can't be ruled out at this time is that Apophis may pass through a gravitational "keyhole" - a spot that alters the asteroid's trajectory as it zips by our planet and might put it on the bee-line lane for banging into Earth seven years later.



In Egyptian mythology, Apep (also spelled Apepi, and Aapep, or Apophis in Greek) was an evil demon, the deification of darkness and chaos (isfet in Egyptian), and thus opponent of light and Ma'at (order/truth), whose existence was believed from the Middle Kingdom onwards. His name is reconstructed by Egyptologists as *ʕAʔpāpī because of written ʕ3pp(y), surviving into later Coptic as Aphōph.

[Lyris]

??I remember this from some years back, when it last had hype. If they guaranteed this thing would ever hit it might be a very good thing to be 30 seconds to Mars

http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=3434
"The new data slightly raise the odds of an impact in the 2030s to roughly 1 in 8,000. The most probable impact scenario occurs in 2036, off the Pacific coast of North America, and carries the potential of generating a 30-foot-high tsunami that could strike southern California"

Gotta get the hell out if that's true.

"...the asteroid's orbit will be significantly altered. As things currently stand, Apophis belongs to the Aten group of asteroids, which circle the Sun inside Earth's orbit. After April 13, 2029, the rock's orbit will have changed enough to place it in the Apollo class — asteroids that actually cross Earth's orbit. "

[pandorya]

I heard about this on CNN a while ago, but they never followed up with it after that.  Thanks for posting the update.

[Adeena]

I've decided that when it hits, it should be directed to take out Tasmania.  Nobody gives a fuck what happens there, and Australia and New Zealand could ride the resulting shock wave to take us closer to the rest of the world.

[SandraK]

oh joy..we are all gonna die!

[Adeena]

Nah, just get someone to give Bruce Willis a call.  He's a hero.  He can fix anything  

[EchelonDurango]

http://www.astronomy.com/asy/default.aspx?c=a&id=3434
"The new data slightly raise the odds of an impact in the 2030s to roughly 1 in 8,000. The most probable impact scenario occurs in 2036, off the Pacific coast of North America, and carries the potential of generating a 30-foot-high tsunami that could strike southern California"

I read this and these lyrics came to mind...

Here in this hopeless fucking hole we call LA
The only way to fix it is to flush it all away.
Any fucking time. Any fucking day.
Learn to swim, I'll see you down in Arizona bay.

Some say a comet will fall from the sky.
Followed by meteor showers and tidal waves.
Followed by faultlines that cannot sit still.
Followed by millions of dumbfounded dipshits.

[Leto_sweden]

I read this and these lyrics came to mind...

Here in this hopeless fucking hole we call LA
The only way to fix it is to flush it all away.
Any fucking time. Any fucking day.
Learn to swim, I'll see you down in Arizona bay.

Some say a comet will fall from the sky.
Followed by meteor showers and tidal waves.
Followed by faultlines that cannot sit still.
Followed by millions of dumbfounded dipshits.

Tool?

[El Kabong]

I always liked the dumfounded dipshits line. Anyone watch Robot Chicken. I love the bit where there's a comet coming for Earth so they do an Armageddon type deal, except with famous people and the people of Earth vote for Harrison Ford because he played Han Solo.

Harrison Ford: I'd like to meet the team of engineers who'll accompany me on my mission to space.
Guy: Actually, the remaining five spots on the flight will be filled by Aerosmith. We need a cool theme song for this mission.
Steven Tyler: I'm ready to rock! *vomits*
Harrison: My God. Did you just get off the centerfuge trainer?
Steven: No, I just shot smack into both my eyeballs! Whoooo.

[EchelonDurango]

Tool?

You are correct.

[SandraK]

Tool?

lol ..thank god for the ? mark..lol..I thought you called her one!

[defunctzombie]

This reminds me, is Nemesis around?  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nemesis_%28star%29

[Adeena]

W00T!

Quote

Asteroid Apophis - we know when it will hit, say Russian scientists. If it hits...

http://www.news.com....0-1226003468788