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Asteroid Apophis Just Got Bigger

Posted by samzenpus on from the a-little-chin-music dept.

astroengine writes "As the potentially hazardous asteroid makes closest approach to Earth today, astronomers using the European Herschel Space Observatory have announced something a little unsettling: asteroid 99942 Apophis is actually bigger than we thought. Herschel astronomers have deduced that Apophis is 1,066 feet (325 meters) wide. That's 20 percent larger than the previous estimate of 885 feet (270 meters). 'The 20 percent increase in diameter, from 270 to 325 m, translates into a 75 percent increase in our estimates of the asteroid's volume or mass,' said Thomas Müller of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Garching, Germany, and lead scientist of the study. In addition, the space telescope has re-analyzed the albedo of the space rock, providing a valuable heat map of the object's surface — data that will improve orbital trajectory models."

18 of 182 comments (clear)

  1. And Leon's getting LARGERRRR! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Someone had to say it.

  2. Size Queen Weekly claims Aphophis 20% bigger by kawabago · · Score: 4, Funny

    Astronomers. My asteroid is bigger than your asteriod. Is not! Is too! Is not! Is too!.....I guess we'll both need grants for a few years to study the question.

  3. Apophis larger than we thought by egcagrac0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Does this mean we need to prepare for a Goa'uld invasion?

    1. Re:Apophis larger than we thought by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Its a ball of replicators that resemble a rock. Call your congressional representitives tell them we're going to need more guns.

    2. Re:Apophis larger than we thought by girlintraining · · Score: 4, Funny

      Does this mean we need to prepare for a Goa'uld invasion?

      No. Antarctica is melting at an unprecidented rate. It's only a matter of time before they discover the research station the Ancients left behind.

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
    3. Re:Apophis larger than we thought by cervesaebraciator · · Score: 5, Funny

      Shouldn't be too hard. So long as we can fund about three people, only two of whom actually need to be soldiers. If they can convince one of Apophis' guys to join our side, that should be enough to defeat the lot.

    4. Re:Apophis larger than we thought by a_hanso · · Score: 4, Funny

      No. It means it's made of Naquadah: http://stargate.wikia.com/wiki/Naquadah_asteroid

    5. Re:Apophis larger than we thought by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Wormhole Extreme!!!!!!

  4. Re:So... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Boobs look bigger close up too.

  5. Obligatory... by bmo · · Score: 4, Funny

    asteroid 99942 Apophis is actually bigger than we thought

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzZ4i8aWs_s

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    BMO

  6. Re:Homeowners insurance by Ackmo · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hmm. My insurance policy actually says, "act of Goa'uld". I always thought that was a typo.

  7. Re:2029 approach by InterestingX · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Carter, I can see my house from here."

  8. Re:So... by TempestRose · · Score: 4, Funny

    Speak for yourself. I plan to live forever.

  9. Well, obviously... by mschaffer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well, obviously the asteroid had passed through the trans-fat and high-fructose corn syrup nebulae between photos.

  10. different mirror by mschaffer · · Score: 4, Funny

    No, it just means that the astronomers are using the telescope that doesn't have the mirror with the words "objects are closer than they appear" on it.

    1. Re:different mirror by girlintraining · · Score: 3, Funny

      No, it just means that the astronomers are using the telescope that doesn't have the mirror with the words "objects are closer than they appear" on it.

      Isn't the whole point of a telescope to make exactly that happen? Maybe they're just holding it backwards.

      --
      #fuckbeta #iamslashdot #dicemustdie
  11. Re:So... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Riker? I thought I told you not to tamper with the timeline...

    But I was having so much fun!

  12. Pfft by kiddygrinder · · Score: 4, Funny

    You asteroid alarmists are getting ridiculous, there isn't a scientific consensus that asteroids even exist, let alone that they are caused by humans

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    This is a joke. I am joking. Joke joke joke.