Need a reason to be excited on another softened Tuesday dawning ? This 1,300 - foot asteroid wo n’t attain Earth for the next 100 years . That means our satellite has at least 5,200 more Tuesday morn to follow exciting new hobbies !
On April 19 , this near - Earth asteroid – 2005 YU55 – was spot by the Arecibo Radar Telescope in Puerto Rico . This 1,300 - base ( 400 - beat ) rock is cruise through space close to 1.5 million naut mi aside . According to Steve Chesley of Jet Propulsion Laboratory ’s Near - Earth Object Program Office :
At one time we had classified 2005 YU55 as a potential terror [ … ] Prior to the Arecibo radar passes on April 19 through 21 , we had eliminated almost all approaching Earth flybys as possibilities of wallop . But there were a few that had a modest remaining probability of impact . After incorporating the data from Arecibo , we were able-bodied to rule impacts out only for the next 100 years .
For those of you who require constant reassurance that our major planet wo n’t be smashed to rag by some errant distance boulder , experience free to check the Near - Earth Object Program’shomepage . They have a listing of1,000 + likely wild asteroid , so you ’ll have plentitude of reasons to shake up your first angrily at the night sky .
Consider this your carpe diem factoid of the sidereal day . Ask out that barista . Put your POG assemblage on eBay . Macramé some denim cut - offs . Butcher the living crap out of the below Song dynasty at karaoke . After all , 2005 YU55 could flatten your patio a 100 from now . You do n’t want to miss a matter .
[ via NASA’sJet Propulsion Laboratory ]
AstronomyScienceSpace
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