Treat for sky gazers: Asteroids to Pass By very Close to Earth on Monday

[Vyom]

Close Encounter: Asteroid to kiss the earth on Monday

HYDERABAD: It will be a treat for sky gazers on Monday as a recently discovered " Asteroid 2011 MD" will be passing by extremely close to the earth - at a distance of only 10,000-12,000 km. Experts say that it will be visible in India.

Discovered on June 22 this year, the asteroid is estimated to be 8 to 18 metres long. It will pass by the earth on June 27 at 6.56 pm.

N Raghunandan Kumar of Planetary Society India said that there was no danger to the earth. "If it tries to enter the earth's atmosphere, the asteroid of this size would burn up. What is more interesting is this was discovered just two days ago though this asteroid existed for a long time now," said Kumar.

According to experts, the celestial encounter is going to be so close that earth's gravity will sharply alter the asteroid's trajectory.

At its closest point, a chunk of rock estimated to be 8 to 18 m across will pass in daylight over the southern Atlantic Ocean, near the Antarctica.

As it recedes away from the earth, it will pass through the zone of geosynchronous satellites. The chances of a collision with a satellite or manmade space-junk are extremely small but not zero, experts said.

"Judging from its brightness, it measures only 5 to 20 metres in diameter. One would expect an object of this size to come this close to earth about every 6 years on an average. For a brief time, it will be bright enough to be seen even with a medium-sized backyard telescope," said Kumar.

[tkin]

With all the clouds here, we are out of luck, fcking monsoon.

[sygeek]

Another reason to step out of my house.

[Scientia Wiz]

I dont think its true !

[Vyom]

^^ May I ask, why is it so?

[doomgiver]

1. a 10 meter space rock within 10k of the earth WILL be pulled into the gravity well, unless it has a huge velocity.
2. 10k is a little bit too close for comfort
3. no ffing way that you will be able to see it without a telescope. the good ones start at rs 5000.

[Vyom]

^^^
1. Even if it do enter, it would burn off, because of earth's atmosphere.
2. Agree, that if it don't then it would make another terror headline!
3. Yeah, that's why TV News would be the best bet, just like, we had to watch recent Lunar Eclipse, Live on youtube!

[doomgiver]

how do you watch "live on youtube"?

and it wont totally burn off, a few kilos of space rock will still hit the earth, but it will only be dangerous for ants

[Vyom]

YouTube was showcasing the Eclipse live on its channel.
I saw that till 2 am... until the moon totally darkened off.... or rather, Orangened off....
I hope they show Live Asteroids too!

[doomgiver]

but dont you have to upload a video before others can watch?

this f's up the whole concept of youtube

[Vyom]

No.. they can provide Live feed too!
I think, they Live feeded the World Cup too!

[sygeek]

^ It actually streamed with uStream.

[Tech.Masti]

I also watched eclips on cnn-ibn, they all took same feed .... Cant remember the name....

[mrintech]

Asteroid To Buzz Earth Monday, June 27th - Observing Highlights - SkyandTelescope.com

And about Lunar Eclipse Video:

This was the Live Feed URL: Lunar Eclipse, June 15, 2011

And this is the uploaded video: Lunar Eclipse, June 15, 2011:



By: SLOOH - SpaceCamera