Asteroid to skim past the Earth

[Nanuq]

Asteroid to skim past Earth

By Nick Collins

Published: 7:00AM BST 12 Oct 2010

An asteroid larger than a double-decker bus is to pass within 28,000 miles of Earth on Tuesday, but has no chance of hitting the planet, Nasa has said.

The giant rock, which is 20ft (6m) wide, will come its closest shortly before midday, though astronomers are not sure what its exact path will be.

But experts, who named the asteroid 2010 TD54, said that despite passing very close to the planet it would not enter the atmosphere, and that even if it did it would burn up before reaching the ground.

Nasa's Asteroid Watch said on Twitter: "Small space rocks this size would burn up in our atmosphere & pose no ground danger."

The group added that a "moderate telescope" would be required to make out the rock, which will at times be closer to Earth than some satellites, and significantly nearer than the moon.

Emily Baldwin, of Astronomy Now, told The Times: "Fortunately it seems this one will miss us. But it is a reminder that the Earth is still in the middle of a cosmic shooting gallery and we need to keep constant watch for incoming asteroids".

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So....

If it's about the same size as a double-decker bus, but we've missed it, can we expect another one soon?

Alternatively, it's a good thing the asteroid isn't the "Number 11" or it might come in groups of three.

[FxrAndy]

and i thought that you has something serious to say Bob,

[btocamelo]

I doubt a rock the size of a double-decker bus...."....would burn up in our atmosphere & pose no ground danger."....I'm sure it all depends on the make up of the rock.

[jchurch]

It would burn up they come through on a daily basis. Only ones you have to really watch out for are the ones that are over 100 feet lol

[KB]

pass within 28,000 miles

I thought I felt a breeze.

Ken

[btocamelo]

cool....it would be interesting to re-live what the dinosaurs went through

[By-Tor]

I wish it hits our parliament house when they're in the middle of a session.

[kronos twin]

maybe some companies can make watch dials out of any fallout material!

[btocamelo]

maybe some companies can make watch dials out of any fallout material!

LOL....too late...Rolex already makes watches with "meteorite" dials....they bought and actual meteorite and cut it into dials.

[marinamm20]

LOL....too late...Rolex already makes watches with "meteorite" dials....they bought and actual meteorite and cut it into dials.

and same did omega for the new Speedmaster

[Ronin]

Correction, it will pass the earth at 28,800 miles, and all mechanical watches with a 28,800 beat will burn up...

[modelizer]

Correction, it will pass the earth at 28,800 miles, and all mechanical watches with a 28,800 beat will burn up...

Lucky me putting on a low beat this morning! And nobody home at the apartment when the watch box lits up..

[chronoluvvv]

too little, too late

[subbiesrock]

I wish it hits our parliament house when they're in the middle of a session.

Everyone wishes for this BT