jlf1961
Posts: 14840
Joined: 6/10/2008 From: Somewhere Texas Status: offline
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The NEO in question is known as 99942 Apophis, an asteroid that is between 270 and 350 meters in diameter, with a mass of 27 megatons. In its present orbit there is chance that it could pass through a gravitational keyhole during its closest approach to earth in 2029 that would set up a future impact on April 13, 2036, the probability of an April 13, 2036 impact is considered to be 1 in 250,000. And depending on the keyhole aspect of the near earth pass, would determine if it is an ocean impact or a land impact. While this asteroid is not one that could cause a global extinction, it would be detrimental to a good day for those near the impact area. I would think that public events would possibly be canceled.
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Boy, it sure would be nice if we had some grenades, don't you think? You cannot control who comes into your life, but you can control which airlock you throw them out of. Paranoid Paramilitary Gun Loving Conspiracy Theorist AND EQUAL OPPORTUNI
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