2012 is Comming true! Russia targets asteroid headed for Earth

[Steveox]

Asteroid plans to hit earth

MOSCOW – Russia is considering sending a spacecraft to a large asteroid to knock it off its path and prevent a possible collision with Earth, the head of the country's space agency said Wednesday.

Anatoly Perminov said the space agency will hold a meeting soon to assess a mission to Apophis, telling Golos Rossii radio that it would invite NASA, the European Space Agency, the Chinese space agency and others to join the project once it is finalized.

When the 270-meter (885-foot) asteroid was first discovered in 2004, astronomers estimated the chances of it smashing into Earth in its first flyby in 2029 were as high as 1-in-37, but have since lowered their estimate.

Further studies ruled out the possibility of an impact in 2029, when the asteroid is expected to come no closer than 18,300 miles (29,450 kilometers) above Earth's surface, but they indicated a small possibility of a hit on subsequent encounters.

In October, NASA lowered the odds that Apophis could hit Earth in 2036 from a 1-in-45,000 as earlier thought to a 1-in-250,000 chance after researchers recalculated the asteroid's path. It said another close encounter in 2068 will involve a 1-in-330,000 chance of impact.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_russia_asteroid_encounter

Discuss

[Kerlyssa]

...asteroids are capable of planning?

Do meteor showers scheme? 

[Steveox]

Its best to prepare. Asteroid events are like Hurricane events. Like you see on the weather channel and you can track where that hurricane is going.

[rakhel]

they have been saying, for decades, that an asteroid was going to hit the earth. The yr is as unimportant now as it was then. They are just going to change the yr and the odds again.

[Waldo]

Causes me to wonder what NASA's recent hunt for water on the moon was all about...

[Steveox]

Last Time an asteroid hit earth is when the Dinosaurs were here. Astroid hits earth every 65 million years. So we are due for an impact.

[Assyriankey]

Last Time an asteroid hit earth is when the Dinosaurs were here. Astroid hits earth every 65 million years. So we are due for an impact.

I think, on historical average, a very large asteroid hits the Earth every 23 million years or so.  We are well overdue now but the statistical noise in the historical sample is very high and, moreover, as time goes by there are fewer very large asteroids.

Steve, has your cat died?

[Steveox]

Last Time an asteroid hit earth is when the Dinosaurs were here. Astroid hits earth every 65 million years. So we are due for an impact.

I think, on historical average, a very large asteroid hits the Earth every 23 million years or so.  We are well overdue now but the statistical noise in the historical sample is very high and, moreover, as time goes by there are fewer very large asteroids.

Steve, has your cat died?

My Cat died 5 years ago!

[Apotheosis]

 

If a very large asteroid hit the Earth it would be a cataclysmic event far beyond anything the human race has ever experienced. Imagine the effects of a global nuclear holocaust. We discuss it calmly like it's a bad thunderstorm that may or may not swing by our neighborhood, but the event would have devastating, if not apocalyptic effects on all planet life.

Even if the odds are a million to one, those still aren't odds I'm very comfortable with. People win the lottery all the time. Let's keep our eyes on the sky, eh?   

[Kerlyssa]

most people only concern themselves with the catastrophic end of their own existence, which is far more likely to be caused by a mosquito or paperclip than meteor.

[SkunkButt]

Maybe if we all just nuke ourselves to death we wouldn't have to worry about an astroid or 2012 or the LHC creating a black hole.

[Steveox]

Maybe if we all just nuke ourselves to death we wouldn't have to worry about an astroid or 2012 or the LHC creating a black hole.

Good IDEA!!! Should USA NUKE CHINA FIRST?

[hypsell]

If a reasonable way of deflecting the asteroid is found,why not make we're safe by gently nudging it out of the way.My daughter's generation may well do just that.

[jetson]

We've got a whole generation of kids who know how to shred asteroids to bits using just the arrow keys.  I'm not worried.

[Alkan]

Last Time an asteroid hit earth is when the Dinosaurs were here. Astroid hits earth every 65 million years. So we are due for an impact.

Asteroids hit randomly. It's sort of like the "lightning doesn't strike twice myth."

[Steveox]

We've got a whole generation of kids who know how to shred asteroids to bits using just the arrow keys.  I'm not worried.

This isnt a game!

This is the end as we know it

[Coffin Dancer]

Yep it's coming true. Its a bigger joke now than when it started.

[energy]

When I first read the OP I imagined that 'surely' in 20, 30 or in 50 years, we'd be able to deflect an asteroid. But what if we dont find a way.
Thats a chilling thought. But I reckon we'll fly through 2010

[hypsell]

I don't think deflection would be so hard.In fact,if you could get one there,even a caveman could do it!

[SkunkButt]

2012 is our new Y2K.

 

[energy]

Are you MMXII compliant?
Have you 2012 proofed yourself and your family?

I have these magic beans that can protect you...
$20 a bag ?

[hypsell]

Do the beans come with or without giants?

[energy]

No giants, but you Hypsell, can have a free 1gb USB memory stick? Dont tell the others or they'll all want one.
Oh how times have changed my friend.
E :)

[hypsell]

Did you ever see that movie that was an update of the Jack and Beanstalk tale where they dug up the bones of the giant?

[energy]

No. H. I haven't.
What happens?

[hypsell]

Forgot the details,but as I remember a modern day Jack has to go back up the stalk and take on the giant again.I really have forgotten much of it including the movie's name.

[energy]

As I read your earlier post mentioning the film, I was reminded of Time Bandits by Terry Gilliam.
A bunch of dwarves thieve a special map from god.
Its very funny and surreal.
I love that mix.

[energy]

And OMG 2012 the film is absolutely rubbish.
Great eye candy but absolutely rubbish!

[hypsell]

If  ||smiley||I remember right there was a lump of pure evil in the microwave oven in Time Bandits!

[energy]

If  ||smiley||I remember right there was a lump of pure evil in the microwave oven in Time Bandits!

Thats right !!

And they go to the time of Napolean who loves the dwarves stage show, he wants to see 'little people hitting each other'

Its a really funny film