GM0BWR
19th February 2005, 07:09 PM
A giant asteroid is speeding towards the Earth, space scientists said
today.:cry:
The massive rock, almost a quarter of a mile wide, was on a one-
chance-in-60 collision course with the planet - though most observers
now believe the odds to be a fraction of this.
However, the space rock will come so close that it will pass between
the Earth and orbiting telecommunications satellites - and, at 22,600
miles, will be the nearest miss in recorded history.
It will also be visible with the naked eye from the UK mainland.
If the asteroid were to hit Earth, the resulting explosion would be
the equivalent to a direct strike with 20 hydrogen bombs.
Vast areas of the planet would be transformed into wasteland, or, if
it hit the ocean, a giant tsunami would be generated.
Professor Mark Bailey, director of the Armagh Observatory, said: "I
think everyone is saying that it is going to miss, though you will be
able to see it with a small telescope or even the naked eye.
"It is like being on a train station platform and watching an express
train go by three feet away.
"You're close but it's not dangerous."
The asteroid, called MN4, will skim Earth on Friday, April 13 2029 :icon_shak
today.:cry:
The massive rock, almost a quarter of a mile wide, was on a one-
chance-in-60 collision course with the planet - though most observers
now believe the odds to be a fraction of this.
However, the space rock will come so close that it will pass between
the Earth and orbiting telecommunications satellites - and, at 22,600
miles, will be the nearest miss in recorded history.
It will also be visible with the naked eye from the UK mainland.
If the asteroid were to hit Earth, the resulting explosion would be
the equivalent to a direct strike with 20 hydrogen bombs.
Vast areas of the planet would be transformed into wasteland, or, if
it hit the ocean, a giant tsunami would be generated.
Professor Mark Bailey, director of the Armagh Observatory, said: "I
think everyone is saying that it is going to miss, though you will be
able to see it with a small telescope or even the naked eye.
"It is like being on a train station platform and watching an express
train go by three feet away.
"You're close but it's not dangerous."
The asteroid, called MN4, will skim Earth on Friday, April 13 2029 :icon_shak