The end is near, close but no cigar

[Mels_Smileys45]

Asteroid to be visible Monday


Kilometre-wide asteroid will come about as close to the earth as the moon



LOS ANGELES — A huge asteroid will have a relatively close encounter with Earth this weekend but astronomers said there is no danger of an impact.

The asteroid, known as 2004 XP14, will whiz by about 433,000 kilometres from the Earth, slightly farther away than the moon.

The ringside seat to the cosmic spectacle will be in North America, where amateur sky watchers with good telescopes should be able see the asteroid as a small moving dot in the sky. Europe can also view the flyby but the asteroid will appear much fainter.

The closest approach will occur on the U.S. West Coast at about 9:25 p.m. local time Sunday but the best viewing time on both coasts will most likely be early Monday, scientists said.

Astronomers know little about the asteroid, which was discovered in 2004. But it is estimated to be as wide as one kilometre based on its brightness.

More than three dozen asteroids have flown closer to Earth in the last few years but scientists said 2004 XP14 is one of the largest.

"For something of this size to come this close is unusual," said Don Yeomans, who heads the Near Earth Object Program at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Yeomans said the asteroid will pose no threat to Earth during the impending encounter, nor in the next 100 years. Scientists estimate 2004 XP14 will have 10 more close encounters with Earth over this century.


This is what scientists predict the weather will look like Monday. Now thats FIREWORKS fo yo ass son!

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Con...h=News/Ontario

[cheapprick]

3 thoughts:


They need to send Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck up there. Make Affleck die this time.

What if Iran or South Korea get control of the asteroid? They could destroy the U.S.! It is time for unilateral action to prevent those countries from developing asteroid-controlling technology. Just to be safe, maybe bomb China and Russia too.

If they just noticed something that fucking big two years ago I believe we are more than likely doomed.

[shawners]

3 thoughts:


They need to send Bruce Willis and Ben Affleck up there. Make Affleck die this time.

What if Iran or South Korea get control of the asteroid? They could destroy the U.S.! It is time for unilateral action to prevent those countries from developing asteroid-controlling technology. Just to be safe, maybe bomb China and Russia too.

If they just noticed something that fucking big two years ago I believe we are more than likely doomed.

They couldnt save their career.. much less us.. Even though Slevin was a good movie. Didnt go to the theater to watch it either =)