25 December 2004

24 December 2004

It was announced today that there is an asteroid out there that appears to have a delivery address on earth. Asteroid 2004 MN4 was discovered back in June with new equipment at Kitt Peak, AZ, and the orbital solution was problematic leading the researchers not to announce their findings. Further observations and computations have increased the probability of impact rather than reduce it as almost always happens.

Currently, near-earth flyby, or impact, is scheduled for 2121:36 UTC (1621:36 EST) on Friday, the 13th of April, 2029. It has a diameter of about 1/4 mile and a projected impact velocity of over 28,000 MPH with an energy release of 2200 MegaTons ( 2200 atomic bombs). The probability is currently 300:1 against an impact. If the asteroid does miss Earth in 2029 it has additional, but less likely, potential impact dates in 2030, 2031, 2042, 2043, and 2044.

2004 MN4 is currently rising in NYC after sunrise and setting before sunset. It has a visual magnitude of 17.6.

posted by Charlie at 01:02

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