Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: Don_1 on 03/10/2008 16:20:55

Title: Can we prevent an Earth-impact by an asteroid or meteor?
Post by: Don_1 on 03/10/2008 16:20:55

The asteroids HZ51 & MN4 (Apophis) are latest ‘threats’ from space for Earth. The threat appears to be somewhere between 1 in 6000 and 1 in 6 million depending on where you get the information from (still a better chance than winning the lottery though) If one of these asteroids or another yet to be discovered were to pose a real threat of collision with earth, would we have the power to do anything about it?

Title: Re: Can we prevent an Earth-impact by an asteroid or meteor?
Post by: Evie on 07/10/2008 19:16:29

I would launch Neilep at the asteroid so that he could let the air out of its tires (or tyres).  [;D] [;D] [;D]

Title: Re: Can we prevent an Earth-impact by an asteroid or meteor?
Post by: neilep on 07/10/2008 19:41:57

Quote from: Evie on 07/10/2008 19:16:29

I would launch Neilep at the asteroid so that he could let the air out of its tires (or tyres).  [;D] [;D] [;D]

LOL !!   Just let me at them !!..I've got some Asteroid Cream !! [;D]

First I have to distract the astronaut so that I can steal his suit... [;D]


(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbestsmileys.com%2Fcars%2F17.gif&hash=ee9efee6ad1e8e7127d85df9954001f8)

Title: Re: Can we prevent an Earth-impact by an asteroid or meteor?
Post by: syhprum on 07/10/2008 19:49:24

This URL

http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/sbdb.cgi?sstr=2008%20TC3;orb=1

Shows an excellent animation of its orbit but beware neither IE8 nor Netscape or Firefox will show it I had to revert to WIN2000 and IE6 to view it.
I expect that if I had tried Vista it would have demanded that I fit another 4GB of RAM!.

Title: Re: Can we prevent an Earth-impact by an asteroid or meteor?
Post by: DoctorBeaver on 07/10/2008 21:07:16

Neil - it's something-roid cream, but I don't think the first part is "Aster"  [:D]

And leave that astronaut's helmet alone!  [;D]

Title: Re: Can we prevent an Earth-impact by an asteroid or meteor?
Post by: Don_1 on 08/10/2008 08:28:18

Actually Syhprum, it works well with Vista, so Nerrrr.

It shows a number of fairly close encounters between 2008 TC3 and Earth and Mars. In 2017 it comes to within 0.137AU. What (if anything) could be done about it? And what about something we have not yet seen coming even closer?

Title: Re: Can we prevent an Earth-impact by an asteroid or meteor?
Post by: Don_1 on 08/10/2008 08:37:05

Neil,
With those boots on your hooves you must have considerable difficulty applying your 'roid' cream!
By the way, that is not, I repeat NOT, an offer of assistance!

Title: Re: Can we prevent an Earth-impact by an asteroid or meteor?
Post by: syhprum on 08/10/2008 10:33:41

I have found a browser that shows with WinXP32 that is Google Chrome.

Title: Re: Can we prevent an Earth-impact by an asteroid or meteor?
Post by: syhprum on 08/10/2008 19:16:05

2008 TC3 ain't going noware!, its already landed.

PS after running Chrome Java snuk in and now IE8 and Netscape both work.