Big Asteroid's Approach in November Excites Astronomers

Wed May 04, 2011 11:03 pm » by **Muchtyman**

An asteroid the size of an aircraft carrier will come closer to Earth this autumn than our own moon does, causing scientists to hold their breath as it zooms by. But they'll be nervous with excitement, not with worry about a possible disaster.

There's no danger of an impact when the asteroid 2005 YU55 makes its close flyby Nov. 8, coming within 201,700 miles (325,000 kilometers) of Earth, scientists say.

So they're looking forward to the encounter, which could help them learn more about big space rocks.

http://www.space.com/11556-earth-astero ... 5yu55.html

Should be an interesting time given that the comets Elenin and Levy will be relatively close as well .

http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2 ... ;cad=0#orb

http://elenin.org/honda-levy.php

Wed May 04, 2011 11:10 pm » by **Icarus1**

what if something hits it between then and now causing it to deflect slightly ?

Thu May 05, 2011 1:28 am » by **Flecktarn**

icarus1 wrote:what if something hits it between then and now causing it to deflect slightly ?

the shtf ,,then its Asteroid lottery where it impacts

Thu May 05, 2011 1:47 am » by **Septeloid**

icarus1 wrote:what if something hits it between then and now causing it to deflect slightly ?

Then we will have this............
..
:ohno:

Thu May 05, 2011 1:49 am » by **Roadkill**

Its not that big. It would be like the Tunguska event

Thu May 05, 2011 1:55 am » by **Harbin**

flecktarn wrote:
icarus1 wrote:what if something hits it between then and now causing it to deflect slightly ?

the shtf ,,then its Asteroid lottery where it impacts

flec your being extremely snarky lately.
What's up ?

Thu May 05, 2011 2:01 am » by **Flecktarn**

harbin wrote:
flecktarn wrote:
icarus1 wrote:what if something hits it between then and now causing it to deflect slightly ?

the shtf ,,then its Asteroid lottery where it impacts

flec your being extremely snarky lately.
What's up ?

morphine

Thu May 05, 2011 3:58 pm » by **Spreadthetruth**

A massive asteroid will fly within the moon's orbit narrowly missing Earth later this year.

The space rock, called YU55, will hurtle past our planet at a distance of just 201,700 miles during its closest approach on November 8.

That is closer to Earth than the moon, which orbits 238,857miles away on average.
With a width of some 400metres and weighing 55million tons, YU55 will be the largest object to ever approach Earth so close.MORE

http://members.beforeitsnews.com/story/ ... ss_us.html

Thu May 05, 2011 4:52 pm » by **Richc**

Many threads about this already...

I wonder if it could hit the moon and shower moon rocks down on Earth.?

RIK

Thu May 05, 2011 5:11 pm » by **Bexcossie**

LOL.. it's actually 190,885 miles from earth at closest approach nasa says now... should hopefully still pass between us and the moon with no probs!
:peep: