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

[mewzilla]

Um, you might want to check out the title :) Has the little devil sped up?

[bedolido]

Relative Article:


Fancy a punt that life on earth will be wiped out in the next 10 years?

Well the odds are good at 909,000/1.

The only drawback is that you won't be around to pick up your winnings.

The astronomical odds are offered by bookmakers William Hill.

It was prompted by news that scientists believe an asteroid may hit Planet Earth on March 21, 2004.

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

But the fact you won't be around to collect your cash has not deterred one punter from having a flutter.

"One customer who placed a bet on the world ending said that he would collect his winnings in Heaven," said William Hill spokesman Graham Hill.

Now the bookmaker has opened a book on a whole range of unlikely events occurring, all at odds of 909,000/1.

They include glamour girl Jordan becoming Queen, Michael Jackson having a head transplant and Tony Blair being abducted by aliens.

[bedolido]

Um, you might want to check out the title :) Has the little devil sped up?

I don't understand

[KansasConservative1]

Someone has "sexed up" the dossier!

on March 21, 2014.

[Hatteras]

The title of the post says 2004. The article says 2014.

[mewzilla]

'04. Your headline just about gave me an MI. I thought I had another ten years to party hearty before the big splat ;)

[BluH2o]

2014 is ten years down the road from 2004 ... I'm sure you knew that, right?

[Publius6961]

March 21, 2004?

Can't we be a bit more specific?

Time and location, please.

[bedolido]

Accursed Sky News... One article said 2004 the other said 2014. Sorry

[montag813]

Hillary is hoping the asteroid hits New Hampshire.

[Dead Corpse]

Just Damn.

We're all gonna die.

Where's Bruce Willis when you need him.... ;-)

[Cold Heat]

I await it's arrival!

I wonder if it will be a slow news day when it comes.

[bedolido]

sorry there are two related articles. one said 2004 and the other 2014.

[Constitution Day]

Aaaaaah!! The atmosphere!! AAAAAAH!!!

[mhking]

I thought I was the only one that remembers those hokey Discovery Channel spots....

aaaaaaahhh....the atmosphere....ahhhhhhh

[Tamzee]

No worries... These guys have it covered :-)

[Izzy Dunne]

I don't get it.
The title says 2004.
The first article says 2014.
The 2nd (unsourced) article says 2004.
What does "fancy a punt" mean???

IS ANYONE DRIVING THIS BUS?

[aruanan]

Asteroid may hit Planet Earth on March 21, 2004.

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

One of these things is not like the other. One of these things is not the same.

[Constitution Day]

I thought I was the only one that remembers those hokey Discovery Channel spots....

LOL, I guess not! I thought they were pretty funny.
My wife hated them and I used to turn the TV volume up whenever they'd air. ;)

[corkoman]

I say BRING IT ON. Lets take out these rogue rocks.

[NCjim]

2004 or 2014 - it will be Bush's fault in either case!

[.cnI redruM]

Just another reason to build and deploy NMD...

[AppyPappy]

That does it. I'm buying Chivas from now on.

[Cold Heat]

No doubt!

[mhking]

From Space.com:

Asteroid Given Slight Odds of Hitting Earth in 2014


A newfound asteroid has a 1-in-909,000 chance of hitting Earth in the year 2014 based on limited observations of its current path, astronomers said over the weekend. Those odds are likely to evaporate as more is learned about the object's trajectory.



In all similar cases in the past, the chances of a large rock hitting the planet have been reduced to zero when more data was collected. Meanwhile, astronomers gave asteroid 2003 QQ47 a rating of 1 on the Torino hazard scale, meaning it merits "careful monitoring." The scale runs from zero to 10 and only objects rated 8 and above -- none ever have been -- represent certain collisions.



Asteroid 2003 QQ47 is about three-quarters of a mile wide (1.2 kilometers), large enough to cause widespread regional catastrophe and even global damage were it to impact Earth. Most researchers believe large impacts in Earth's history have contributed to severe climate change and even the elimination of some plant and animal species.



The newly discovered rock is classified as a Near Earth Object (NEO). Its orbit was calculated based on 51 observations over seven days. It was discovered Aug. 24 by the Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research Program (LINEAR), in Socorro, New Mexico.



"As additional observations are made over the coming months, and the uncertainties decrease, asteroid 2003 QQ47 is likely to drop down the Torino scale," said Kevin Yates, project manager for the UK NEO Information Center.



A press release by the NEO Information Center has contributed to headlines about 2003 QQ47 in media around the world this morning. Similar scenarios in the past have fueled public concern and even fear prior to an object being determined harmless.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

And, to heck with the 15 inch limit on large mouth bass...

[So Cal Rocket]

How many of us will be on a Free Repulic ***LIVE THREAD*** when the asteroid hits?

[bert]

ping for chatastrophists

[Hatteras]

"And, to heck with the 15 inch limit on large mouth bass..."

I'm going to start checking out library books and guess what? I'm not going to return them. Never!

[AppyPappy]

And the celebration rule after touchdowns.

[stevem]

Look, this is exactly what you would expect and fits perfectly with ALL the global warming models.

[blam]

"ping for catasthropists."

We're actually a little over due for another smack.

[BSunday]

The title of the post says 2004

No it doesn't. It says 2014

[angkor]

That's it.

I've had it with these da**ed nuisance asteroids.

I'm moving to Mars.

[From The Deer Stand]

No doubt the meteor is a "Vast Right Wing Conspiracy." I just want to know what time and the location on that date in 2014 so in case I'm still here I can be elsewhere.

[irish guard]

You mean Ben Affleck will remove his face from between JLo's legs to help someone else?

[CygnusXI]

Toutatis(4179)
9-29-04.

Be there!

[70times7]

One customer who placed a bet on the world ending said that he would collect his winnings in Heaven...

reminds me of a good joke:

A very rich, and newly very dead, man begs and begs his angel to be allowed to take his wealth to heaven with him. The angel asks, and word comes down: he can bring one full suitcase. The man gleefully fills it up and away they go. As they are reaching the "pearly gates" the angel asks the man what he thought was so important to bring along. With a big smile the man opens the case and shows the angel; the suitcase is filled with gold. The angel cannot contain his laughter, and when the man askes him what is so funny and the angel replys,"you are the first person ever allowed to bring anything to heaven after death, and of all the things you could have choosen you bring street pavement!"

[Frapster]

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.

[music_code]

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.

[CougarGA7]

When does the Mayan calender end again?

[Cultural Jihad]

That does it. I'm buying Chivas from now on.

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

[verity]

Thanks!

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

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

But they say the probability of the asteroid hitting Earth is just one in 909,000

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

[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.

[RGSpincich]

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.

[Hatteras]

Okay, okay.... it USED to say 2004.

[Vigilantcitizen]

"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?