NASA says mysterious object hurtling towards Earth could be an asteroid or a comet

mirror.co.uk ^ | 11:20, 4 JAN 2017 | Libby Plummer

[BenLurkin]

NASA recently spotted two massive space objects hurtling towards Earth.

While the American space agency has pinpointed one as a comet, the other has left it slightly more baffled.

The comet is set to fly close to Earth this week, but the mystery object isn't expected to make an appearance until February.

The object, dubbed "2016 WF9", was detected by NASA's asteroid- and comet-hunting NEOWISE project on 27 November 2016.

It is roughly 0.3 to 0.6 miles (0.5 to 1 kilometres) across and is in an orbit that takes it on a scenic tour of our solar system.

At its farthest distance from the sun, it approaches Jupiter's orbit.

Over the course of 4.9 Earth-years, it travels inward, passing under the main asteroid belt and the orbit of Mars until it swings just inside Earth's own orbit.

After that, it heads back toward the outer solar system.

[GraceG]

or a spaceship...

[Robert DeLong]

Aliens disguised as an asteroid. They are here to stop Trump. /sarcasm

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"...and is in an orbit that takes it on a scenic tour of our solar system."

[max americana]

It’s the new material for the border wall.

[Paladin2]

Object WTF #9....

[dp0622]

After that, it heads back toward the outer solar system...

LET’S HOPE!

Anybody here who knows about this stuff, is it possible for an undetected asteroid or meteor big enough to kill life on earth to be only a week or a month or a year away?

How good are we tracking these things? Is it possible to know for certain?

thanks

[Grimmy]

What the heck do people expect?

We have uncovered the Lizardmen attempt to take over our planet through infiltration and defeated them in this election.

Now, they’re sending for reinforcements.

[faithhopecharity]

It’s the Borg coming to pick
Up their pre-invasion sabotage agent. BHO

[Diana in Wisconsin]

If it lands on Earth, don't get in the spaceship!

[Robert DeLong]

Awesome. I figured the Democrats called in a chip from their alien friends. But they must like President Trump better. 8>)

[Williams]

Yes it’s possible for it to be minutes away when detected.

[blueunicorn6]

Bunch of drunk Martian teenagers.

They’re “mooning” us.

[Fungi]

It’s the REAL “Heaven’s Gate” comet coming to take the cultists home.

[dp0622]

You’re not ####ing kidding, are you?

[Bob434]

Accordign to the bible the answer is no- it not possible to compeltely wipe everyone out Christ will be coming back and then again to reign a 1000 years- there will be masses of people still left at that time-

[Ezekiel]

NASA recently spotted two massive space objects hurtling towards Earth.

There's always an Arquillian Battle Cruiser, or a Corillian Death Ray, or an intergalactic plague that is about to wipe out all life on this miserable little planet, and the only way these people can get on with their happy lives is that they DO NOT KNOW ABOUT IT! ~ Agent K

(Now where's that pic of Putin munching popcorn...)

[hoosiermama]

Blame it on the Russians!

[onona]

Sooooo,

Yes to maxing out the credit cards on booze and wild women, or no ?

[BenLurkin]

Not yet.