Asteroid 2011 AG5 May Pose Threat to Earth in 2040

[Brave7]

Scientists are keeping a close eye on a big asteroid that may pose an impact threat to Earth in a few decades.

The space rock, which is called 2011 AG5, is about 460 feet (140 meters) wide. It may come close enough to Earth in 2040 that some researchers are calling for a discussion about how to deflect it.

Talk about the asteroid was on the agenda during the 49th session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS), held earlier this month in Vienna.

A UN Action Team on near-Earth objects (NEOs) noted the asteroid’s repeat approaches to Earth and the possibility — however remote — that 2011 AG5 might smack into our planet 28 years from now.

The object was discovered in January 2011 by Mount Lemmon Survey observers in Tucson, Ariz. While scientists have a good bead on the space rock's size, its mass and compositional makeup are unknown at present

"2011 AG5 is the object which currently has the highest chance of impacting the Earth … in 2040. However, we have only observed it for about half an orbit, thus the confidence in these calculations is still not very high," said Detlef Koschny of the European Space Agency’s Solar System Missions Division in Noordwijk, The Netherlands.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...n_1306200.html

What is your plan if a big asteroid is going to impact Earth?

[GMF]

If this thing really hits the earth... mhh... I think I would go on a trip around the world a year (or two) before the thing hits.

[ScriptMan]

Somehow I suspect it won't bother me.

[GMF]

Originally Posted by ScriptMan

Somehow I suspect it won't bother me.

Do you suspect you'll be dead by then

[kju385]

Asteroid here, asteroid there, if we were to care for any silly rock floating our way, we would probably die of stress.

[ScriptMan]

Born in 1951. If not dead probably past caring.

[Dreamrage]

Anyone got a basement I could borrow?

[snakeair]

I live in a brick building but don't think i'll be alive then.

[Inspired Ink]

We've had a lot of "close calls" from what I hear. Not something I worry about. Hearing this particular one is 30 years in the future, even less of a worry.

If a truly HUGE asteroid WERE to hit the earth (and I'm not thinking one will), then I doubt there would be much anyone could truly do to prepare or plan for it. You'd probably need a bunker, with a way to produce your own food, water, and power, for a period of years, and even after that, not sure you could make it.

Better hope the aliens come to evacuate us.

[Brave7]

Originally Posted by Inspired Ink

Better hope the aliens come to evacuate us.

Someone watched the movie "Knowing"

[Nealrm]

A meteor around 1/2 to 1/3 that size hit Russia in 1908. It was a significant event, this one would be about 2 to 3 times the size. So it is unlikely to cause world wide damage, but it would cause some weather issues for a few years.

[kju385]

Originally Posted by Dreamrage

Anyone got a basement I could borrow?

I have a nuclear shelter nearby, you're most welcome.

[MariaFrolova]

It would be awesome if this dirty world ceased its existence.

[ScriptMan]

Beware the alien whom comes with book titled How to Serve Man






.
It might be a cookbook
TwilightZone episode # unknown

[ceekeigh]

I still need to worry about it hopefully, lol.

[Dreamrage]

(puts her books away)

So ah kju385, nuclear you said?

[Jim Gillum]

Hmmm...let's see...I am 68 now and that would make me......ummmm..
Never mind...

[Brave7]

My son told me yesterday that we need a Green Lantern to save us ahahhahahh cute.

[lets4410]

If we can't deflect/blow up a 140 meter wide flying rock by 2040 we deserve to get squashed

[kju385]

Originally Posted by Dreamrage

(puts her books away)

So ah kju385, nuclear you said?

Be sure to bring some snacks. And alien cannons if you have any left