- cross-posted to:
- science@lemmy.ml
Do it, you coward.
It’s expected to be 6.7 million kilometers away from the Earth at its closest approach. The average distance to the moon 384,400 kilometers. It will be well outside that, around 19.5 times the distance to the moon?
Honest question, if the moon isn’t a threat, and the asteroid’s path is confidently calculated, is this really a dangerous asteroid? Or is it only considered dangerous because in some distant century it might hit Earth?
The way I understand it is the distant future part. Even if you calculate its orbit very well there’s always a level of uncertainty that grows with time, news outlets never show the error bars.
Uncertainty shrinks with time.
Uncertainty grows with increased extrapolated time, shrinks as time passes with updated measurements.
Only if you keep making measurements
Which space monitoring agencies are sure to do.
At this point, perhaps many would be relieved?
Well shit. I simulated it hitting NJ and it didnt seem world ending. Sorry NJ but if its guna hit anywhere then a state sized junkyard has to be the best possible scenario. Sincerely your neighbor: NY.
Maybe the dust cloud will help the survivors cool off?
Pfft. Anything smaller than 340 meters isn’t worth getting out of bed.
Thank asteroid launcher was cool, nice touch