Apophis may hit 2036

[Daniel-K]

sorry but this just popped up on my facebook feed what do you think http://www.history.com/shows/the-universe/videos/the-next-asteroid-impact?cmpid=Social_Facebook_TheUniverse_02032014_1#

[Moonshane]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99942_Apophis

[Tel]

I most likely won't be about by then, but if I am it will most likely cure my dementia.

[Cath]

Well, the choice is, do you spend the next 22 years worrying yourself silly sbout it (and so exit through ill health), or do you try and live a normal happy-go-lucky life along with most everyone else? .. I know which one I prefer Daniel.

Anyway, they are now pretty much certain it'll pass us by without even a good bye kiss - I hear.

[Mr Spock]

I'd like to see one hit, you know, just to see what it's like. I'll be 78 in 2036 so might be a great way to go

[crashtestdummy]

You shouldn't believe everything(anything!) You read on Facebook

[cotterless45]

I'll be 84, don't mind doing a Bruce Willis, landing and detonating a nuke on it. Might forget what I was doing up there though !

Nick.

[cantab]

Pay no attention to the internet's Chicken Littles, lest you find them in league with the Foxy Loxies who are out to part you with your cash.

[Kropster]

If it is on Facebook it must be true.....or maybe not.

When NASA issue a warning I'll start to worry.

Sent from my XT890 using Tapatalk

[Knight of Clear Skies]

I believe the latest observations have ruled out the possibility of a 2036 impact, although there is still a small possibility of it hitting in 2068 (latest estimate, 1 in 256,000 chance).

The reporting of asteroid threat often follow a common pattern. When the object is first detected the chance of impact is given as very low, as there are large uncertainties in its calculated orbit. As these figures are refined the chance of impact goes up, before finally being ruled out entirely. This diagram explains (sorry for the dark colours, it's a transparent background. Here's the original.):

On average, it's thought that Apophis-sized asteroids hit the Earth every 80,000 years or so.

[Davey-T]

One more thing to worry about, now where did I put my hard hat

Dave

[Tinker1947]

It sells advertising space that's what its about...

[DaveS]

Mag 3.4 and 42 deg / hr at the 2026 approach. Might be interesting.

[wxsatuser]

I'd like to see one hit, you know, just to see what it's like. I'll be 78 in 2036 so might be a great way to go

Same here.......would be interesting to see it if it was head on.

[Myopicus]

Can we launch Bruce Willis into space now, please? Nothing to do with the asteroid - it's just a good idea.

[Lee M]

Good time to take out an interest only mortgage maybe?

[astro bob]

So it's not time to convert my garage into a bomb shelter?

[faulksy]

good time maybe to max out those credit cards as well

[Beulah]

Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die... 

[lukebl]

It WILL happen sometime. It's happened before. It will happen again. 2036 would suit me.

Just hope that my kids have perfected some sort of space/time machine to protect themselves by then.

[kev]

Mag 3.4 and 42 deg / hr at the 2026 approach. Might be interesting.

That could cause some interesting tracking problems!

[Robbo AR]

Bring it on...

I love fireworks...

[Ags]

I'm still waiting for Nibiru...

[Paul M]

Shame it isn't a comet.

After another 22 years of Global Warming we'll be needing some fresh ice...

Anyway, as already said, it's going to happen sometime. That and worse are yet to come!

Don't take to the bunkers. That just drags out the inevitable.

Get the last train to ground zero and welcome it with open arms