Asteroid making a close pass.

[Roadtoad]

Might be worth a look. (http://news.yahoo.com/s/space/20060626/sc_space/hugeasteroidtoflypastearthjuly3)

An asteroid possibly as large as a half-mile or more in diameter is rapidly approaching the Earth. There is no need for concern, for no collision is in the offing, but the space rock will make an exceptionally close approach to our planet early on Monday, July 3, passing just beyond the Moon's average distance from Earth.

Astronomers will attempt to get a more accurate assessment of the asteroid's size by “pinging” it with radar.


And skywatchers with good telescopes and some experience just might be able to get a glimpse of this cosmic rock as it streaks rapidly past our planet in the wee hours Monday. The closest approach occurs late Sunday for U.S. West Coast skywatchers.

My only complaint would be that the woos would start claiming it's the end of something. (Probably someone's virginity, but what the hell...)

[Just thinking]

No doubt it will be overcast that day (night) by me.

[DaChew]

Darn it! I just know this is going to screw up my horoscope for next week. If this screws up my luck and I lose any of my World Cup bets, I'm going to be super pi$$ed.

[Overman]

Most astoriods like this we don't even see until they are past us! Astroids reflect the same amount of light as charcoal.

Good job picking this up whoever did it!

[Bradk3]

Aha! So Eric Julien (http://www.randi.org/jr/2006-5/050506imminent.html) just got his months wrong?

[rjh01]

The link in npost 5 does not work for me.

[richardm]

And we're supposed to think it's a coincidence that the shuttle is being launched on Saturday, even though it's been deemed "unsafe"?

No.

If left to its own devices this asteroid would hit us. NASA are going to land on the asteroid and use the Shuttle's main engines to push it out of the way.

There won't be any astronauts on board, it'll all be done with computers because they won't have enough fuel to get back. NASA will then stage another shuttle disaster, and use it as an excuse to retire the aging shuttle fleet and start work on some spiffy new ones.

I think I'd make a good conspiracy theorist.

[Harlequin]

Except that you're telling us now, instead of after...

[richardm]

I'm trying to get in before the rush :D

[Axenos]

And we're supposed to think it's a coincidence that the shuttle is being launched on Saturday, even though it's been deemed "unsafe"?

No.

If left to its own devices this asteroid would hit us. NASA are going to land on the asteroid and use the Shuttle's main engines to push it out of the way.

There won't be any astronauts on board, it'll all be done with computers because they won't have enough fuel to get back. NASA will then stage another shuttle disaster, and use it as an excuse to retire the aging shuttle fleet and start work on some spiffy new ones.

I think I'd make a good conspiracy theorist.

I was thinking the same thing... you beat me to it. I wonder if Eric Julien has found the crop circle for this one yet...

Regards All,

Axe

[richardm]

Two people independently came to the same conclusion. Clearly there must be something to this!

Axe, just search the internet for any new crop circles and post the URL here. We'll claim it as our own!

[Axenos]

newciv.org/nl/newslog.php/_v288/__show_article/_a000288-000461.htm

I hereby claim this recent Crop Circle as the official "July Close Call Asteroid Circle".

As you can plainly see, the orbit of the earth is clearly shown, surrounded by a plethora (yes, plethora, as these kinds of words add credence to my believability), of asteroids.

This is clearly a sign... A SIGN I SAY!!! The confusion of these circles is obviously the negative ripple in spacetime created by the NONBELIEVERS at the JREF forum... but this asteroid WILL hit us, unless we all bind our psychic powers together and push this asteroid away with our goodwill and monetary donations...

Please send all money to ME... care of ME... all proceeds benefit ME!!!! ( and richardm gets a finders fee...)

I would never make it as a Woo...

Regards All,

Axe

[Bradk3]

The link in npost 5 does not work for me.
Yeah... er... me... either... Yeah, um... carry on!

[rjh01]

Great theories. Ripe for loose change. Go there and troll. Look to SBrown for inspiration.

[gfunkusarelius]

um, obviously they will bore into it and blow it up with nukes (or maybe thermite). the boosters wouldnt be able to alter its course enough

[Roadtoad]

um, obviously they will bore into it and blow it up with nukes (or maybe thermite). the boosters wouldnt be able to alter its course enough

Doctor Teller! I thought you were DEAD!