Asteroid to Make Closest Recorded Pass to Earth

Posted by michael on Thursday March 18, 2004 @01:37AM from the horseshoes-and-hand-grenades dept.

unassimilatible writes "A 100-ft diameter asteroid will make the closest (26,500 miles, or about 3.4 Earth diameters) pass of earth ever detected in advance today, NASA reports. Asteroid 2004 FH's point of closest approach with the Earth will be over the South Atlantic Ocean. Using a good pair of binoculars, the object will be bright enough to be seen during this close approach from areas of Europe, Asia and most of the Southern Hemisphere. While we are in no danger this time, it is good to know NASA's LINEAR guys are on the job, for when that Death Star-sized object pays us a visit."

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Re:Lucky by TheRealMindChild · 2004-03-18 01:48 · Score: 0, Flamebait

100 ft across (why not 30m ?)

Because NASA is part of our "stupid american" culture.

--

"When life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back!" -- Cave Johnson
Re:Hey! by GooberToo · 2004-03-18 02:26 · Score: 0, Flamebait

The flip side of this is that the universe is taking its practice shots to make sure, when the shot really counts, it hits France with the first shot.

I know the universe sure would be embarrassed if it was aiming for France and it got Germany. I think these practice shots are pretty important. After all, it's just warming up. ;)