Asteroid To Pass Within 17,000 Miles of Earth

Asteroid To Pass Within 17,000 Miles of Earth

Science

Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn More.

s
Standard membersasquatch672
Don't Like It Leave

Walking the earth.

Joined
13 Oct 04
Moves
50664
08 Feb 13

Somebody check my math, but I have that as 15 minutes, 17 seconds of earth orbit...that's pretty close.

m
Standard membermikelom
Ajarn

Wat?

Joined
16 Aug 05
Moves
76863
08 Feb 13

Originally posted by sasquatch672
Somebody check my math, but I have that as 15 minutes, 17 seconds of earth orbit...that's pretty close.
NASA say it will fly within the satellite orbit range, but it is not a prob.

If they say that, I'm happy enough.

-m. 😉

s
Standard membersasquatch672
Don't Like It Leave

Walking the earth.

Joined
13 Oct 04
Moves
50664
08 Feb 13

Originally posted by mikelom
NASA say it will fly within the satellite orbit range, but it is not a prob.

If they say that, I'm happy enough.

-m. 😉
I'm just saying - on astronomical scales, that's not even a whisker.

m
Standard membermikelom
Ajarn

Wat?

Joined
16 Aug 05
Moves
76863
08 Feb 13

Originally posted by sasquatch672
I'm just saying - on astronomical scales, that's not even a whisker.
How about if it hits a satellite?

A large one?

-m. 😉

s
Standard membersasquatch672
Don't Like It Leave

Walking the earth.

Joined
13 Oct 04
Moves
50664
08 Feb 13

Originally posted by mikelom
How about if it hits a satellite?

A large one?

-m. 😉
Exceedingly improbable.

T
Standard memberThequ1ck
Fast above

Slow Below

Joined
29 Sep 03
Moves
25914
10 Feb 13
2 edits

Originally posted by sasquatch672
Exceedingly improbable.
I think Mikelom is trying to ascertain what kind of weapon would be
powerful enough to dislodge such a rock. Would a big gun be accurate
enough? or would you have to employ some kind of drilling device to split
it in two?

D
Standard memberDeepThought
Losing the Thread

Quarantined World

Joined
27 Oct 04
Moves
87415
10 Feb 13
5 edits

Originally posted by sasquatch672
Somebody check my math, but I have that as 15 minutes, 17 seconds of earth orbit...that's pretty close.
Wikipedia gives the earths orbital speed as 29.7 km/s and 17 miles is about 27 km thats a bit under 1000s which is about 17 minutes. So allowing for the 10% error in my 1000s I think you got your maths right.

But unless the thing gets trapped by the atmosphere it really doesn't matter how close it gets. The Earth has a diameter of 12,600 km so it's 2 and a bit times the diameter of the earth away. Which means we shouldn't get a problem even if it hits a satellite. If it does hit a satellite then the satellite's had it, but it won't affect us other than losing the satellite. Could be spectacular to watch though.

w
Standard memberwoodypusher
misanthrope

seclusion

Joined
22 Jan 13
Moves
1834
15 Feb 13

Tomorrow's the day 😀