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Asteroid may hit Planet Earth on March 21, 2014.
SkyNews ^ | 09/02/03 | Staff Writer

Posted on 09/02/2003 6:39:19 AM PDT by bedolido

Scientists monitoring an asteroid have warned it could collide with Earth in just over a decade.

The newly discovered asteroid, known as 2003 QQ47, is around two-thirds of a mile wide and has been classified as "an event meriting careful monitoring" by astronomers.

It is around one tenth fo the size of the meteor that is thought to have wiped out dinosaurs on Earth 65 million years ago.

In the event of it hitting the Earth, the rock would have the force of 350,000 mega tonnes - around eight million times more powerful than the bomb dropped at Hiroshima at the end of the Second World War.

On impact it would be travelling at 75,000 miles a hour.

Experts say the giant rock, which was first spotted by Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research Program (Linear) in New Mexico, could impact on Earth on March 21, 2014.

But they say the probability of the asteroid hitting Earth is just one in 909,000 and the risk of impact is likely to decrease as they collect more information.

With a mass of around 2,600 million tons, it has been given a "Torino hazard rating" of one. Scientists said it is likely to drop down the Torino hazard scale as more observations are made.

Its orbit calculations are currently based on just 51 observations during a seven-day period.

Dr Alan Fitzsimmons of Queen's University, Belfast, one of the expert team advising the UK Near Earth Objects Information Centre, based in Leicester, said: "The NEO will be observable from Earth for the next two months, and astronomers will continue to track it over this period."

He added that there is no cause for concern over the asteroid.

Asteroids such as 2003 QQ47 are chunks of rock left over from the formation of our solar system 4.5 billion years ago.

Most are kept at a safe distance from Earth in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.

But the gravitational influence of giant planets such as Jupiter can nudge asteroids out of these safe orbits and send them plunging into the Earth's neighbourhood.

Last Updated: 14:07 UK, Tuesday September 02, 2003


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: 2003qq47; 2004; 2014; 21march2014; asteroid; crevolist; disaster; earth; end; heaven; march; pennies; shtf; toutatis; world
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To: bedolido
It says that were it to hit the earth it would be traveling at over 75,000 mph. I don't buy it. The asteroid in the movie 'Deep Impact' was traveling much slower than that.
41 posted on 09/02/2003 7:20:41 AM PDT by Frapster (John 3:16)
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To: bedolido
Can someone tell me why the reason for the extinction of the dinosaurs is always assumed to be a large asteroid hitting the earth millions of years ago, in spite of no evidence...when in fact, the Biblical Flood of Noah offers a much more compelling answer as to why they died out?

The existence of dinosaur fossils worldwide points strongly to sudden burial via huge amounts of water and sediment, which is exactly what happens in a flood.

42 posted on 09/02/2003 7:21:06 AM PDT by music_code (Atheists can't find God for the same reason a thief can't find a policeman.)
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To: bedolido
When does the Mayan calender end again?
43 posted on 09/02/2003 7:21:32 AM PDT by CougarGA7
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To: AppyPappy

Or a case of El Patron, and put it on the credit card!

44 posted on 09/02/2003 7:21:44 AM PDT by Cultural Jihad
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To: bedolido
Thanks!

I made a notation in my daily planner to leave that date open.

45 posted on 09/02/2003 7:24:26 AM PDT by verity
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To: bedolido
But they say the probability of the asteroid hitting Earth is just one in 909,000

................... OK .......................

46 posted on 09/02/2003 7:24:50 AM PDT by HoustonCurmudgeon (PEACE - Through Superior Firepower)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks
Hell, where I go fishing they have a 20 pound limit on bass. Of course if you want to keep one at 16 to 18 pounds it only cost you a $50.00 fine. Not a bad price for that once in a life time giant Large mouth Bass. 10 and 12 pounders are a dime a dozen when the fish are biting good. South Georgia, home of the next world record Large Mouth Bass.
47 posted on 09/02/2003 7:26:02 AM PDT by herkbird
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To: mhking; BSunday; Hatteras
It was prompted by news that scientists believe an asteroid may hit Planet Earth on March 21, 2004.

SkyNews has an asteroid that is ten years faster. Find that incredible considering how long it takes to load their web page.

48 posted on 09/02/2003 7:28:10 AM PDT by RGSpincich
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To: BSunday
Okay, okay.... it USED to say 2004.
49 posted on 09/02/2003 7:30:33 AM PDT by Hatteras (All those who believe in psychokinesis raise my hand)
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To: herkbird
"Hell, where I go fishing they have a 20 pound limit on bass. Of course if you want to keep one at 16 to 18 pounds it only cost you a $50.00 fine. Not a bad price for that once in a life time giant Large mouth Bass. 10 and 12 pounders are a dime a dozen when the fish are biting good. South Georgia, home of the next world record Large Mouth Bass."

Dodge co. or Paradise PFA?

50 posted on 09/02/2003 7:31:21 AM PDT by Vigilantcitizen (Rooooooock Lobster.................)
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To: Izzy Dunne
''Do you fancy a punt on ...?'' = ''Would you care to wager that ...?''
51 posted on 09/02/2003 7:31:54 AM PDT by SAJ (Write LBX puts, $40-50 out of the money, until the forest fires burn out.)
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To: AppyPappy
That does it. I'm buying Chivas from now on.

NO! It's FRENCH!!
I loved Courvoisier and Remy Martin (Champagne cognacs), but since joining the voluntary anti-Frog embargo have switched to single malt scotches...
It's even better!!

Start with a mild "Dalwhinnie" and work your way through Glenkinchie, Oban, Cragganmore, Talisker, Lagavulin and the others!

As blended Scotches go, Chivas was my favorite many years ago... but it's... it's... FRENCH!!! ;-)

52 posted on 09/02/2003 7:32:42 AM PDT by Bon mots
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To: Hatteras
"I'm going to start checking out library books and guess what? I'm not going to return them. Never!"

And all those tags on my pillows and mattresses that say,"Do not remove under penalty of law" are friggin history.

I'm such a rebel.

53 posted on 09/02/2003 7:33:12 AM PDT by Vigilantcitizen (Rooooooock Lobster.................)
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To: herkbird
Are these striper bass ?
54 posted on 09/02/2003 7:33:30 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: bedolido
Oh no! That's the week before I retire!
55 posted on 09/02/2003 7:34:41 AM PDT by rabidralph (Just your average whistle-ass.)
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To: music_code
burial via huge amounts of water and sediment, which is exactly what happens in a flood.

Yeah, well...

Floods can be caused by tsunamis, which can in turn be caused by huge speeding objects hitting the seabed.

It's possible that you and the secular evolutionists are both right.

56 posted on 09/02/2003 7:34:54 AM PDT by angkor
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To: bedolido
Damn! That's really going to put a damper on the wifes 50th birthday celebration.
57 posted on 09/02/2003 7:35:16 AM PDT by Just another Joe (FReeping can be addictive and helpful to your mental health)
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To: dubyaismypresident; dighton; Texas_Dawg; Catspaw; Poohbah; wimpycat
Asteroid may hit Planet Earth on March 21, 2014

Women, children, elderly and minorities to be hardest hit
Bush Administration adopts "Wait and See" approach in light of oncoming human services tragedy

58 posted on 09/02/2003 7:36:03 AM PDT by Chancellor Palpatine ("Hee Haw" was only supposed to be a TV show, not a political party and movement)
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To: bedolido
Ugh, couldn't it hit sooner? I'd take anything than listenong to Kerry and his RAT swill.
59 posted on 09/02/2003 7:36:35 AM PDT by mtbopfuyn
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To: Eric in the Ozarks
Although I believe he was exaggerating a bit, there are several public fishing areas managed by the state to produce trophy bass. Two that come to mind are paradise and Dodge county PFA's.

Bass weighing between 12 to 18 pounds are caught every year from these lakes.

http://www.gon.com/bigbass.html
60 posted on 09/02/2003 7:38:38 AM PDT by Vigilantcitizen (Rooooooock Lobster.................)
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