An Asteroid The Size Of A Bus Came Closer To Earth Than The Moon This Morning, But It’s Cool

Geekosystem ^ | Saturday, May 3rd 2014 | Sam Maggs

[SunkenCiv]

Don't worry, NASA's known about it for ages. Like, four whole days.

So here’s a fun fact: while you were sleeping last night, you had a near-death experience. Yes, you – and everyone else on this lovely planet. In the wee hours of the morning, a pretty sizeable asteroid soared by the Earth, just missing it. But we’re okay. For now.

At 4:13am EDT, asteroid 2014 HL129 essentially side-swiped the Earth, coming within 186,000 miles of our planet. For reference, the moon is 238,855 miles away. Which means the asteroid was much, much closer to us than the moon will ever be. And the moon is pretty damn close. Like, we-sent-people-there-in-the-’60s close.

Oh, and why is it called “2014 HL129?” It’s because we pretty much just discovered that this asteroid exists. Yep, a rock that NASA’s Asteroid Watch says was about 25 feet wide (approximately the size of a bus) and came within space-moments of smacking our planet around was completely unknown until April 28th. Four days ago. But no big deal guys, no need to panic. We’re fine.

Just know planet-wide destruction could be under a week away and we could have no idea. Neato.

[sickoflibs]

” Yep, a rock that NASA’s Asteroid Watch says was about 25 feet wide (approximately the size of a bus) and came within space-moments of smacking our planet around was completely unknown until April 28th. Four days ago. But no big deal guys, no need to panic. We’re fine. “

25 feet wide?

That's like a pebble. Call me when one the size of the US comes near.

[sickoflibs]

RE:”Just know planet-wide destruction could be under a week away and we could have no idea.”

I could win the lottery too. If I bought a ticket.

[Redcitizen]

That’s funny. I’m abducting that pic.

[21twelve]

Had to search to see what sort of damage there might be and found the following (house sized, not bus).:

“Let’s say that an asteroid the size of a house crashed on Earth at 30,000 mph. It would have an amount of energy roughly equal to the bomb that fell on Hiroshima — perhaps 20 kilotons. An asteroid like this would flatten reinforced concrete buildings up to half a mile from ground zero, and flatten wooden structures perhaps a mile and a half from ground zero. It would, in other words, do extensive damage to any city.”

Later on they talk about a mile-diameter meteor would pretty much change life on earth.

[sickoflibs]

RE :”Let’s say that an asteroid the size of a house crashed on Earth at 30,000 mph”

Does it mention what would happen as it entered the atmosphere?

[21twelve]

No. I’m guessing they are assuming a direct hit and not a glancing blow. I was more just trying to get a rough idea. Saw another article. The 4,200 foot diamter crater in Arizona(?) was caused by an estimated 150-foot chunk. The big ones assumed to account for extinction events are estimated in the 100+ mile diameter size.

[sickoflibs]

“A meteor moving through the vacuum of space typically travels at speeds reaching tens of thousands of miles per hour. When the meteor hits the atmosphere, the air in front of it compresses incredibly quickly. When a gas is compressed, its temperature rises. This causes the meteor to heat up so much that it glows. The air burns the meteor until there is nothing left. Re-entry temperatures can reach as high as 3,000 degrees F (1,650 degrees C)!”
Meteors burn up when they hit the Earth's atmosphere. Why doesn't the space shuttle?

[Impy]

Good comparison, except I think the chances you’ll hit the jackpot are actually far greater!

That movie “Deep Impact” pissed me off. Morgan Freeman as Obama, hiding information from the the public. But that was a movie. LOL

[Impy]

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2014/04/holy-fck-this-skydiver-almost-got-hit-by-a-meteorite/

Ever been skydiving? It would have been funny if that had happened to GHW Bush.

[sickoflibs]

RE:”Good comparison, except I think the chances you’ll hit the jackpot are actually far greater!”

No doubt there!

[TigersEye]

Just know planet-wide destruction could be under a week away and we could have no idea. Neato.

What does this guy want? An apology? lol

[sickoflibs]

If an asteroid is going to land and kill us today or tomorrow then life has no consequences.

We can live like today is our last day.

No possibility of prison, or a nursing home in later years.

No need to save a dime,

No need for your kids to go to college or study

Party now while you can.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Of course, you know what that means if it’s the end of the world ? GOPSter is coming to your house with a giant strap-on.

[sickoflibs]

RE:”Of course, you know what that means if it’s the end of the world ? GOPSter is coming to your house with a giant strap-on.”

Good point, I need to make sure my door is locked,

[21twelve]

“We can live like today is our last day.”

Asteroid or not, shouldn’t we be doing that? As well as planning for the future - in case it ISN’T our last day on earth.

[fieldmarshaldj]

That’s not the only door that’s gonna need to be locked.

[left that other site]

You mean THIS STUFF?

[left that other site]

Yes..that does make a difference.

[GOPsterinMA]

Where the f**k is this hate coming from? Am I being accused of being a poof? No need to bolt doors on my account. I’m offended.

Now, if you want to talk about Khent - that’s a different story. S/He’s a bit flamboyant and supposedly has a penchant for buggery as well as a fetish for Haribo Golden Bears.

[GOPsterinMA]

Amen.