Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => In the Media... => Topic started by: JohnP on Mar 03, 2009, 19:08:19

Title: oh err.. this was close...
Post by: JohnP on Mar 03, 2009, 19:08:19
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20090303/tsc-space-rock-gives-earth-a-close-shave-50a9c9d.html
Title: Re: oh err.. this was close...
Post by: Mac on Mar 03, 2009, 22:39:45
dont know whats more scarry.
The fact that it was only 44000 miles away
or the fact that it was only discovered two days before it passed. :o

Title: Space rock makes close approach
Post by: Rick on Mar 03, 2009, 23:30:55
An asteroid which may be as big as a ten-storey building has passed close by the Earth, astronomers say.

The object, known as 2009 DD45, thought to be 21-47m (68-152ft) across, raced by our planet at 1344 GMT on Monday.

The gap was just 72,000 km (44,750 miles); a fifth of the distance between our planet and the Moon.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7921279.stm
Title: Re: oh err.. this was close...
Post by: Rick on Mar 05, 2009, 15:31:16
...but not quite as close as the one in this APOD: http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap090302.html