Asteroid almost hits Earth

[efq]

An asteroid of a similar size to a rock that exploded above Siberia in 1908 with the force of a thousand atomic bombs whizzed close past Earth on Monday, astronomers said on Tuesday.



2009 DD45, estimated to be between 21 and 47 meters (68 and 152 feet) across, raced by at 1344 GMT on Monday, the Planetary Society and astronomers' blogs reported.
The gap was just 72,000 kilometers (44,750 miles), or a fifth of the distance between Earth and the Moon and only twice the height of satellites in geosynchronous orbit, the website space.com said.
The estimated size is similar to that of an asteroid or comet that exploded above Tunguska, Siberia, on June 30 1908, flattening 80 million trees in a swathe of more than 2,000 square kilometres (800 square miles).
2009 DD45 was spotted last Saturday by astronomers at the Siding Spring Survey in Australia, and was verified by the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Centre (MPC), which catalogues Solar System rocks.
The closest flyby listed by the MPC is 2004 FU162, a small asteroid about six metres (20 feet) across which came within about 6,500 kms (4,000 miles) of us in March 2004.
Asteroid 2009 DD45

Ok, thats scary and whats even scary is that we wasn't alert of it, so if one does ever head for us then we wouldn't know if they can't tell if this was gonna shoot past us.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090303...e-50a9c9d.html

[Immenseman]

Yeah, I read this earlier on Yahoo home page they said it was big enough to destroy the whole of London. I know it's not that much really put into perspective but was still over 70,000 KM away.

[Axel]

Another 44000 miles to the left and we'd be a goner!!!

[Hazza]

If it happens it happens.

[efq]

A fifth of a distance to the moon, thats close if your thinking of what damage it can do.
I ain't to happy on any asteroid thats closer than the moon (Not considering the little ones than burn in the atmosphere)

Just wonder, what would happen if it did head for us :S

[Minstrels]

Yeah, I read this earlier on Yahoo home page they said it was big enough to destroy the whole of London. I know it's not that much really put into perspective but was still over 70,000 KM away.

If we can get two, one to hit London and one for Asia I'll be up for it! No more United fans eh?

[efq]

If we can get two, one to hit London and one for Asia I'll be up for it! No more United fans eh?

Why London, your better off in Manchester lol?

[Minstrels]

Why London, your better off in Manchester lol?

Not if we want to wipe Manchester United fans we're not! ol:

[Jordy]

I wouldn't worry about them not knowing, if it hits you there'd be no point knowing as you'd be gone in an instant anyway. 'Before you knew what hit you'

[efq]

Not if we want to wipe Manchester United fans we're not! ol:

Lets get an extra one then, just to make sure we get rid of them
But your MC can be immune to it haha