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View Full Version : Billion Ton Comet May Have Missed Earth By A Few Hundred Kilometres in 1883

Sam I Am
10-17-2011, 10:42 AM
I would say this is pretty scary, but if it hadn't missed; we wouldn't exist anyhow.

800km across and only 600km (about 6 miles) away?!?!? :eek: The moon is over 250,000 miles away. This was literally bouncing off the atmosphere!

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Manterola and pals have used this to place limits on how close the fragments must have been: between 600 km and 8000 km of Earth. That's just a hair's breadth.

What's more, Manterola and co estimate that these objects must have ranged in size from 50 to 800 km across and that the parent comet must originally have tipped the scales at a billion tonnes or more, that's huge, approaching the size of Halley's comet.

Complete Story (http://www.technologyreview.com/blog/arxiv/27264/)
Illini88228
10-17-2011, 12:06 PM
600 km is closer to 350-400 miles. That's still crazy close but not quite 6 miles.
Sam I Am
10-17-2011, 01:05 PM
600 km is closer to 350-400 miles. That's still crazy close but not quite 6 miles.

lol, how the hell did I come up with 6 miles! Not sure how did that since I know a kilometer is .62 of a mile. :laugh2:

600 kilometers is approximately 372 miles.
REDVOLUTION
10-17-2011, 04:18 PM
I remember driving into Canada and seeing 100km signs. I believe it was equivalent to 60mph, eh?
SaltwaterServr
10-17-2011, 08:56 PM
That's mass hysteria inducing close. Armageddon movie worst case scenario close.

Wow.
Ren
10-17-2011, 10:48 PM
If you think that is scary read up on asteroid Apophis. In April 2029 it will pass the earth inside of our communication satellites orbits
SaltwaterServr
10-17-2011, 10:58 PM
If you think that is scary read up on asteroid Apophis. In April 2029 it will pass the earth inside of our communication satellites orbits

On Friday the 13th no less.

http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/apophis/
Hoofbite
10-18-2011, 12:06 AM
On Friday the 13th no less.

http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/apophis/

Be a good time to see if we were able to push one enough to move it off course.
ScipioCowboy
10-18-2011, 12:37 AM
That's mass hysteria inducing close. Armageddon movie worst case scenario close.

Wow.

And the sun became as black as sackcloth....

That close?