Get your planners out - Friday 13th 2029

Thirdfox

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2005/13may_2004mn4.htm

"A giant asteroid the size of three football pitches will make the closest flyby of Earth in recorded history for an object of its size, scientists said yesterday.

It will pass between the Earth and the Moon and will even come closer than the orbit of many telecommunications satellites, although astronomers insisted that there was little chance of a collision with the massive rock.
Anxious Earthlings need not worry too much for another 24 years, however, because asteroid 2004 MN4 is not due to make its closest approach to Earth until about 10pm London time on Friday 13 April 2029.

The latest calculations of the rock's orbit suggest that it will come so close that it will probably be visible to the naked eye from Britain. It will shine in the sky as a dim, fast-moving star - the first asteroid in modern times to be clearly visible from Earth without the aid of a telescope or binoculars."

Should be an incredible event - if global warming *ahem* climate change hasn't gotten to us already.

coylemj

That story is dated 2005 and after the nonsense about 'Life on Mars' a few years ago I'd be sceptical about any screaming headline story issued by NASA.

Thirdfox

Screaming headline story would be newspapers saying killer asteroid heading our way.

The reason that is dated 2005 is because people have been tracking it for quite a few years. The initial probability of an Earth strike was as high as 1 in 60. Thanks to scientists we now are quite confident we don't need to worry.

And as for "life on mars" "nonsense" that you talk about - I believe they stated they may have found evidence of life having existed on mars as simple bacteria.

If you don't believe it no problems - for those who do 2029 should be an interesting year to witness something that no-one in recorded history has seen before.

rymus

lets recap.. a giant asteroid is due to pass by earth close enough for us to touch it and that's happening on friday the 13th?

Yeah... we're all ****ed.

Fajitas!

Friday?

10pm?

We'll be in the pub.

:pac:

Thirdfox

On the US political comedy I was watching the host goes... and we've just elected our first black President (Deep Impact anyone?)

though it would be funny if some little thing collided with it in 2028 and if shifts 0.001 degrees to the right - we'll get front row seats to the results

Thirdfox

Fajitas! wrote: »

Friday?

10pm?

We'll be in the pub.

:pac:

It'll probably be cloudy in Ireland...

CraggyIslander

Fajitas! wrote: »

Friday?

10pm?

We'll be in the pub.

:pac:

Dont forget to bring a towel, just in case it isnt an asteroid but a Vogon ship in disguise

Hugh_C

Thirdfox wrote: »

Thanks to scientists we now are quite confident we don't need to worry.

These wouldn't be the same scientists that confused miles with kilometres or was it cm and inches? Can't remember the details but wasn't some satellite sent to the wrong place in error because the 2 different design teams were using different units?

CabanSail

While this is all very interesting ...... what is the relevence to Photography?

Fajitas!

Astrophotography with a 200mm?

:pac:

CabanSail

Fajitas! wrote: »

Astrophotography with a 200mm?

:pac:

More like a long straw than a long lens.

rymus

Fajitas! wrote: »

Astrophotography with a 200mm?

:pac:

might be able to do it with a 15mm fisheye if things go a bit pear shaped in the next 30 or so years.

democrates

Hugh_C wrote: »

These wouldn't be the same scientists that confused miles with kilometres or was it cm and inches? Can't remember the details but wasn't some satellite sent to the wrong place in error because the 2 different design teams were using different units?

Yes that was a Mars lander and I think an EU/US miscomm.

DaireQuinlan

CraggyIslander wrote: »

Dont forget to bring a towel, just in case it isnt an asteroid but a Vogon ship in disguise

And make sure to buy loads of peanuts ...