Asteroid to make close approach

[TechBear_Seattle]

Asteroid to make close approach

An asteroid some 250m (600ft) across is about to sweep past the Earth.

There is no chance of it hitting the planet, but astronomers will train telescopes and radar on the object to learn as much about it as they can.

The asteroid - which carries the rather dull designation 2007 TU24 - will pass by at a distance of 538,000km (334,000 miles), just outside Moon's orbit.

Scientists who study so called near-Earth objects say similar-sized rocks come by every few years.

The moment of closest approach for 2007 TU24 is 0833 GMT. The asteroid is only expected to be visible through amateur telescopes that are three inches (7.6cm) or larger.

The article continues at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7214524.stm

[liberalmuse]

1. Would it be too much to hope that it chucked a little rock at D.C.?

We need an act of nature, since nobody has any honor in that godforsaken cesspool anymore.

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. Alas, it will miss the earth n/t

[Submariner]

3. Out of 600 ft of rock, is a 100 ft chunk hitting the West Wing of the WH

at 100,000 mph too much to ask?

[rayofreason]

4. One day...

...one of those rocks will get too close.

[TechBear_Seattle]

5. One day, Alice, one day...

SMACK! Right to the moon!

(:toast: to Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows)