It's called Apophis. It's 390m wide. And it could hit Earth in 31 years time [Asteroid]

The Guardian (UK) ^ | December 7, 2005 | by Alok Jha

[Blue Jays]

Hi All-

This infernal asteroid will create a Symphony of Destruction for mankind!

~ Blue Jays ~

[cripplecreek]

Symphony of Destruction was one of my work tunes. I was the boss.

[manwiththehands]

We'll put NASA right on it ... maybe by then they will have figured out how to keep the foam from coming off the shuttle's fuel tank.

[gas0linealley]

LOL, I forgot about the Japanese cowboys. Any folks who took care of Godzilla can handle a little thing like this asteroid.

[blam]

I just saw a program on the National Geographic channel about asteroids. They said that you are 4 times more likely to die from an asteroid impact than you are from a lightening strike.

[weegee]

according to the libs, having stuff is a crime ...

"All property is theft" - Pierre Proudhon (1840)

[Revolting cat!]

Who was it that sang an opposite song to EVE OF DESTRUCTION called Eve Of Correction?

Google sez:

A folk group called The Spokesmen recorded an answer song to this called "The Dawn Of Correction."

[blam]

"I think America is already doing its share, and deflecting asteroids is an expensive business."

Our budget for this group is $4 million a year and there are more people working in a fast food restaurant than on this program.

[Salamander]

The Mayan calender calls for 'lights out' in 2012 so I'm not sweating 2036.....:))

[BobS]

I watch SG-1 too. Tilk screwed him up before and will again.

[blam]

"I'll be 86. I think I'll sit on the front stoop and watch it come in."

Hmmm. I'd be 93, not likely to happen. Have a beer for me.

[hattend]

I'll be around 80 and from the way things are looking, still having to work. Take some pictures, ok?

Will do. I hope Costco will still be open so I can get prints made to send to you.

[hattend]

heheheh

[tarheelswamprat]

Outstanding book!

[bootless]

Lucifer's Hammer is one of my all-time favorite books - first read it 25 years ago. And every time I see the mailman, I still think, "Here comes the junk man..."

That books just sucks you right in, eh?

[CindyDawg]

93 is getting younger every year:')

[HighWheeler]

"99942 Apophis (previously better known by its provisional designation 2004 MN4) is a Near-Earth asteroid that caused a brief period of concern in December 2004 because initial observations indicated a relatively large probability that it would strike the Earth in 2029. However, additional observations provided improved predictions that eliminated the possibility of an impact on Earth or the Moon in 2029. A future impact on April 13, 2036, is still possible, keeping the asteroid at level 1 on the Torino impact hazard scale as of September 2005, with an estimated impact-probability of 1 in 5,560."

-- -- --

To get that odd probability, 1 in 5560, a Monte Carlo probability model is created and calculated. It's a brilliant way to obtain a good probability with many highly complex factors involved in the calculation.

[Stonewall Jackson]

the probability of any impact0.018000000% chance of Earth impact

or

1 in 5,560 chance

or

99.98200000% chance the asteroid will miss the Earth

But that takes the fun out of watching all of the idiots running around, screaming "The sky is falling!!! The sky is falling!!!"

[varyouga]

Start planning for the "End of the World" Party?

[Malacoda]

Somebody better get Tim Hamner on the phone...

I haven't read that book in YEARS. I may have to find it and dust it off...