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2010 AL30, Asteroid Or Space Junk, To Pay a Close Visit

Posted by kdawson on from the threading-the-needle dept.

astroengine writes "A near-Earth object that could be manmade has just been discovered hurtling toward us. On Wednesday (Jan. 13), an object called 2010 AL30 will fly by Earth at a distance of just 130,000 km (80,000 miles). That's only one-third of the way from here to the moon, i.e. very close. It will miss us, and if it did hit us, it wouldn't do any damage anyway, but I managed to pick up on some chatter between planetary scientists and found out that the 'asteroid,' or whatever it is, gives us a new standard: a 10-meter-wide asteroid can be detected two days before it potentially hits Earth. A pretty useful warning if you ask me."

12 of 136 comments (clear)

  1. VGER by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    V*GER is coming home!

    1. Re:VGER by ThinkWeak · · Score: 2, Funny

      Oddly enough, the first film seemed like it took two days to watch as well

  2. Two days? by Finallyjoined!!! · · Score: 3, Funny

    Not much of a sodding warning. Can you stock up & get to high ground/underground in two days?

    --
    If I had an Ass, I'd call it Fanny Bottom, then I could slap my Ass; Fanny Bottom, on the Arse.
    1. Re:Two days? by brunokummel · · Score: 2, Funny

      Not much of a sodding warning. Can you stock up & get to high ground/underground in two days?

      ...humm you could get high...

      --
      What is best in life? To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you and to hear the lamentations of their women.
    2. Re:Two days? by rubycodez · · Score: 2, Funny

      I was hoping to have some hot young chick let me kiss her bum goodbye

  3. Nobody asked you, thanks. by Rogerborg · · Score: 3, Funny
    • Scientician: Mr President of Earth, we've picked up an asteroid on a potential collision course with earth!
    • Mr President of Earth: Great Scott! Will it hit us?
    • Scientician: Yes! Maybe. I mean, probably. We're pretty sure that it might.
    • Mr President of Earth: And how much damage will it do?
    • Scientician: Ah, a good question. That depends on what it's made of.
    • Mr President of Earth: What's it made of?
    • Scientician: We're 92% confident that we'll learn that with a 57% probability after it hits us.
    • Mr President of Earth: ... 'k. And where will it hit?
    • Scientician: Well, if it hits the earth, it's more likely to hit a wet bit. Unless it doesn't. And it'll probably be in the Northern hemisphere, unless it's not.
    • Mr President of Earth: So we should...?
    • Scientician: Well, gee, sir, that's your decision. I just do the Science.
    --
    If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
    1. Re:Nobody asked you, thanks. by stjobe · · Score: 3, Funny

      Scientician? WTF?

      Ah:

      "According to The Simpsons, a "scientician" is "a scientist with questionable credentials who publicly supports spurious hypotheses."

      --
      "Total destruction the only solution" - Bob Marley
  4. Oblig. Futurama reference by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    So should we send another ball of garbage to deflect it?

    1. Re:Oblig. Futurama reference by jefu · · Score: 2, Funny

      You mean Bruce Willis? (oblig Armageddon reference).

  5. Colonel, you better have a look at this radar... by franiu · · Score: 5, Funny

    Radar Operator: Colonel, you better have a look at this radar.
    Colonel: What is it, son?
    Radar Operator: I don't know, sir, but it looks like a giant...
    Jet Pilot: Dick. Dick, take a look out of starboard.
    Co-Pilot: Oh my God, it looks like a huge...
    Bird-Watching Woman: Pecker.
    Bird-Watching Man: [raising binoculars] Ooh, Where?
    Bird-Watching Woman: Over there. What sort of bird is that? Wait, it's not a woodpecker, it looks like someone's...
    Army Sergeant: Privates. We have reports of an unidentified flying object. It has a long, smooth shaft, complete with...
    Baseball Umpire: Two balls.
    [looking up from game]
    Baseball Umpire: What is that. It looks just like an enormous...
    Chinese Teacher: Wang. pay attention.
    Wang: I was distracted by that giant flying...
    Musician: Willie.
    Willie: Yeah?
    Musician: What's that?
    Willie: [squints] Well, that looks like a huge...
    Colonel: Johnson.
    Radar Operator: Yes, sir?
    Colonel: Get on the horn to British Intelligence and let them know about this.

    We should get ready for Dr. Evil...

  6. Re:2 days? by Muad'Dave · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...wildly accelerated away in a hyperbole

    How apropos - "wildly accelerated" is hyperbole. Oh you mean "hyperbola".

    --
    Tiller's Rule: Never use a word in written form that you've only heard and never read. You will end up looking foolish.
  7. Re:That's your own fault by ceoyoyo · · Score: 4, Funny

    I have lots of neighbours. They should last for months.