An asteroid the size of a city block buzzes by our planet Sunday
| This diagram shows the orbit of asteroid 2014 HQ124, also known as “the Beast,” and its location relative to Earth on June 8. (NASA/JPL-Caltech) |
An asteroid the length of a New York city block will zip past Earth on Sunday, June 8, coming within 770,000 miles of our planet at its closest approach.
Nicknamed “the Beast,” it has been designated a “potentially hazardous asteroid” because of its size (between 800 and 1,300 feet) and because of how close it will get to Earth.
No need to worry though. There is absolutely no chance it will hit us (as 770,000 miles is still more than three times the distance between the moon and Earth).
Asteroids this size pass this close to Earth once every few years, said Don Yeomans, manager of NASA’s Near-Earth Object Program Office at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Yeomans and his team have been able to calculate the orbit of the asteroid out to the year 2200, and they see no possible chance that it will hit Earth in that time period.
That’s a very good thing, because an asteroid this size could destroy a city if it slammed into the right (or wrong) spot.
This particular asteroid, officially called 2014 HQ124, was discovered in April by NASA’s NEOWISE mission, a wide-field infrared space telescope that has been repurposed to hunt for comets and asteroids.
NEOWISE’s observations show that the asteroid is reflecting a fair amount of light, said Amy Mainzer, the principal investigator of NEOWISE at the JPL. That offers researchers some hints to its composition.
“It’s likely that this object is rocky, rather than the dark, carbonaceous class of asteroids that are covered with extremely dark material,” Mainzer said in an email to the Los Angeles Times. “It’s also possible that it’s a metallic asteroid.”
She added: “The reflectivity gives a clue as to what it’s made of, although it’s far from a foolproof diagnostic.”
You won’t be able to see this asteroid for yourself because even at its closest approach it will be far too dim. But it’s still cool to know about — a lonely space rock, tumbling by, 770,000 miles overhead.
Source: http://www.ascensionearth2012.org/2014/06/an-asteroid-size-of-city-block-buzzes.html
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,708,231,107 |
| Stories: | 8,449,805 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
