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Asteroid To Pass Near Earth On Monday

Posted by timothy on from the if-you-look-you'll-go-blind dept.

TigerNut writes "Asteroid 2011 MD was discovered on June 22 by LINEAR, and its flight path will take it within 8000 miles (12000 km) of Earth. Orbital predictions indicate that its flight path will be significantly altered by this close approach."

3 of 183 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Should we worry? by alba7 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The opening paragraph of the fine article: Asteroid 2011 MD, a chunk of rock estimated to be 25 to 55 feet (8 to 18 m) across, [...]

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    Post tenebras lux. Post fenestras tux.
  2. Re:Should we worry? by stonedcat · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'm amazed that 25 feet qualifies as an asteroid.

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    You can't take the sky from me.
  3. With in the orbit of GPS Satellites by ChronoFish · · Score: 3, Interesting

    According to the Discover Article (http://news.discovery.com/space/visualizing-asteroid-2011-md-zip-past-earth-animation-110624.html), this is within the orbit of GPS satellites. While it seems most are not concerned about a collision with Earth, what happens if it takes out a satellite (or two)? Or something worse like colliding with the ISS. I hope there are some observation satellites than can a good view of the approach (and/or pass).