Asteroid may hit Planet Earth on March 21, 2014.

SkyNews ^ | 09/02/03 | Staff Writer

[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

[RonF]

"I loved Courvoisier and Remy Martin (Champagne cognacs), but since joining the voluntary anti-Frog embargo have switched to single malt scotches..."

May I recommend Bushmills's 16-year-old single malt Irish whiskey? It's always a big hit on our annual Canadian canoe fishing trip.

[MD_Willington_1976]

We will be hiding in my cellar, guarding the last 24 pack of Charmin TP on earth with my mossberg 500, all the while I will be screaming come and get it come and get it. Of course like minded Freepers would be welcome but there is a limit on how many toilet tickets that will be distributed. On my weighted scale I will trade 2 tickets for every Democrat, 1 ticket for every 2 granola's, & 1/2 a ticket for 4 member of the green party. This is not a catch and release program...

See ya there...

</sadistic sarcasm

[agincourt1415]

Wonder if this has anything to do with the Ancient Egyption Calender they found, that mysteriously stops in 2014?

[Diddle E. Squat]

Asteroids are made of cheese...

[Sam's Army]

"When does the Mayan calender end again?"

I think it already has.

[mhking]

When does the Mayan calender end again?

December, 2012.

[StriperSniper]

Nope, but these are.

12-18lb stripers are prime flyrod targets around here. In about 5 or 6 weeks the waters around NYC are going to be boiling with them!

[StriperSniper]

Even if it hits, it may be a 'non-event'.

[Some hope remaining.]

Ok, well I've got to get in the shower. Let me know if anything happens.

[Some hope remaining.]

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.

Well by all means, collect more information so we can reduce the risk of impact.

[.cnI redruM]

50% of the science I used to see published by people at UCLA proved that we needed to spend $$$$ doing more science.

[RightWhale]

Art Bell will be on XM radio to talk it all the way in.

[Bon mots]

May I recommend Bushmills's 16-year-old single malt Irish whiskey? It's always a big hit on our annual Canadian canoe fishing trip.

Bought it, drank it, liked it.
I'm still a single malt fan... but lately, I've given up on all whiskey for dietary reasons (another fitness kick) :-)

[Straight Vermonter]

Be nice. Pat Buchanan lost an uncle at Aushwitz.

He fell out of a guard tower.

[Don Corleone]

Right in the middle of Hitlery's 2nd term! Hah!

[RightWhale]

the risk of impact is likely to decrease as they collect more information.

These are weekend sailors at Cape Cod thinking that a space rock is like a submerged rock. Chart it and the danger is minimized.

[bedolido]

Right in the middle of Hitlery's 2nd term! Hah!

Don Corleone. With all respect and honor do to the leader of one of the five families.

Please, sir, do not speak into existance such a calamity. The spoken word can create, sir, with respect.

[Voice in your head]

"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."

Note to self: do not buy green bananas after the Ides of March (2014).