Its not planet x but astroid HW10 will be getting pretty close to us in the next couple of days. My question for BA is, How close, and Do we have anything to worry about.
http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/db_shm?sstr=2003+hw10 ?
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Its not planet x but astroid HW10 will be getting pretty close to us in the next couple of days. My question for BA is, How close, and Do we have anything to worry about.
http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/db_shm?sstr=2003+hw10 ?
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The website indicates .003 AU as the minimum. I convert that to 279,000 miles, which is a little farther away than the Moon (approximaly 240,000 miles).
Everything I need to know I learned through Googling.
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To Seek Thanks you thats what I was wondering how far in miles.
I am just begining to learn about astronomy (which by the way is the most fascinating subject we have to study) and was wondering what keeps us from capturing objects like this?
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Well, if it's gonna hit us, it'll hit us tomorrow.
Don't worry, I highly doubt it'll hit us.
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It is indeed very close in astronomical terms, but still nothing to worry about.
Your page gives a link to more detailed information, and it says minimum possible distance is 0.002205 au. Converted, it's about 330,000km (205.000 miles). This is a little farther away than lunar orbit, but still a pretty good distance to miss us by.
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Will it be daylight visible?
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Actually, it's a little closer than lunar orbit, but not by much.Originally Posted by David Hall
Everything I need to know I learned through Googling.
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I wonder if it'll affect the moon in any way?
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It's really very hard to capture objects in orbit. Since there's no friction in space (to speak of), an object is going to come shooting in, increasing speed, reach the maximum speed at its closest point, then go shooting out until it's receding at the same speed with which it arrived.
Think of releasing a marble at the edge of a bowl: if there's no friction, the marble is going to go down to the bottom of the bowl, then right to the opposite edge before returning. Now, instead, release the marble a couple of inches above the edge of the bowl. The marble will go down into the bowl and go shooting out the other side.
I think the only way capture can occur is if there's a third body involved that affects the orbit significantly enough - I suppose the Moon could do that, but it would have to be positioned just right.
Everything I need to know I learned through Googling.
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LD is a "Lunar Distance." 1 LD = 384,401 km, the distance between Earth and the Moon. 1 LD also equals 0.00256 AU. So if this thing is at .003 AU, To Seek is right, it's just a tad farther than the moon. We actually had an approach of 0.5 LD earlier this year, in January, I think. That was much closer than this one, so I wouldn't worry too much.
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The site says it's at 27 mag, and will reach Perihelion at 04:17:00 (UTC);, so I doubt it will be visible. I also see where they've changes the Earth distance to 0.0023 AU.
http://newton.dm.unipi.it/cgi-bin/ne...2003HW10;94347
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Let's try this again
Data in regard to 2003-HW10
MOID (Earth)=138,000 Km
EAD(min) @4/29/03=330,000 KM
Hence the answer to the question: "is there anything to worry about" is *NO*
Moreover, owing to its small size/mass, an impact by 2003-HW10 would likely be without consequence (in point of fact it'd never reach the ground UNLESS it is composed of iron (etc.) AND going real 'slow'
If you are interested in PHOs I suggest JPL & NEODyS' risk pages - I'd post the addys however I believe doing so would violate BABB's TOS???
Kind regards
Sarandon
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Thanks, Toutatis.
Peace_Rules: Dang, I was kinda hoping it would be.
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Thanks for the replies, I didnt really think it was going to hit us, I just thought why not focus on something real for a change. Not that I dont find the Planet X scenario quite entertaining. Like I have said before it has me very interested in astronomy, and I have now plans to sign up for Some physics courses next semester. From there I hope to take some astronomy. I'm already 3 years in but what the hell Im no in a hurry to start "real life" anyway. Thanks again, love the forum, and peace.
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D'oh! You're right. I originally started to say closer, but then I thought again, thinking I was mistaken. I guess I was right the first time. I was just too lazy to actually look up the exact number.
So what we have is a projected course that's just outside of lunar orbit, with a margin of error that brings it just inside in a worst-case scenario.
Just because it gets close to lunar orbit doesn't mean it's going to be anywhere near the Moon itself. Besides, even a very large asteroid wouldn't have enough mass to affect something as big as the Moon unless it actually hit it.
Newbie
David, I noticed your from Japan! How much japanese do you know? I'm learnin it right now. Stupid question, I know :P but I was just wonderin
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Not from Japan, but in Japan. It's a topic more for the private message system however, so expect one soon. :-)
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Something that is going to hit us (but it's small)
Everything I need to know I learned through Googling.
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The asteroid's size in comparison to the moon is ... oh... roughly the size of a sesame seed compared to your body. Now, I know it's tragic to drop a yummy sesame seed off your buns, but if someone launches a sesame seed a few feet past your body, it's not going to have any effect on you.
Asteroids zoom past the moon all the time. Nothing happens (unless they hit).
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