4 ms·

We were all doomed to die on Friday the 13th, 2029

20 points by joering2 5y ago

bonyt 5y ago
> Asteroid 2004 MN4 will come scarily close to Earth on April 13, 2029, but it will not hit. Well, not from that asteroid, at least.
- mquarks 5y ago
  This begs the question: If an asteroid was discovered coming our way and potentially destroying humanity in let's say 10 yrs, would they tell us? Bonus question: If the news would break, how would humanity react?
LandR 5y ago
From 2005
- oicu812 5y ago
  More recent info: https://www.jpost.com/science/apophis-what-you-should-know-about-the-asteroid-skimming-by-earth-in-2029-681657 https://www.jpost.com/science/apophis-what-you-should-know-a...
theandrewbailey 5y ago
> On April 13, 2029, asteroid 2004 MN4 will fly past Earth only 18,600 miles (30,000 km) above the ground. For comparison, geosynchronous satellites orbit at 22,300 miles (36,000 km). Usually clickbait pop-astronomy articles are for a tiny asteroid coming within a million miles (aka 999,000 miles) of Earth, but not stating that the moon is much bigger and much closer. Coming closer than geostationary satellites is notable, and a bit too close for comfort.
- joering2 5y ago
  Not sure if pop-astronomy - the link directs to NASA site. I decided for title to be somewhat more spicey in hopes it will create a longer and deeper conversation re asteroids and the danger they present to live on Earth. Clickbaity I agree, it is not misleading tho - for close to 15 years we weren't sure whether it will hit or miss. I would argue we are still too far off from the randevou date. At the distance MN4 is today, any collision with another body of even 1% of its weight, could change trajectory dramatically - put Earth on a bullseye path, or "kick" asteroid out of Earth orbit trajectory altogether. We will have to live there to see it, I guess.
- InfiniteRand 5y ago
  Is there any potential for the asteriod to hit any geostationary satellites?
akagusu 5y ago
It's about time. The world needs a break from humans.
- peakaboo 5y ago
  You mean our leaders i think. It's a common mistake to look at the world and think ordinary humans are causing all the problems when it's the leaders of each country and huge corporation causing them.
  - ecolonsmak 5y ago
    it would be a mistake to think leaders are any different than ordinary humans.
weare138 5y ago
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99942_Apophis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99942_Apophis

20 points by joering2 5y ago

> Asteroid 2004 MN4 will come scarily close to Earth on April 13, 2029, but it will not hit. Well, not from that asteroid, at least.

mquarks 5y ago
This begs the question: If an asteroid was discovered coming our way and potentially destroying humanity in let's say 10 yrs, would they tell us? Bonus question: If the news would break, how would humanity react?

LandR 5y ago

From 2005

oicu812 5y ago
More recent info: https://www.jpost.com/science/apophis-what-you-should-know-about-the-asteroid-skimming-by-earth-in-2029-681657 https://www.jpost.com/science/apophis-what-you-should-know-a...

theandrewbailey 5y ago

> On April 13, 2029, asteroid 2004 MN4 will fly past Earth only 18,600 miles (30,000 km) above the ground. For comparison, geosynchronous satellites orbit at 22,300 miles (36,000 km). Usually clickbait pop-astronomy articles are for a tiny asteroid coming within a million miles (aka 999,000 miles) of Earth, but not stating that the moon is much bigger and much closer. Coming closer than geostationary satellites is notable, and a bit too close for comfort.

joering2 5y ago
Not sure if pop-astronomy - the link directs to NASA site. I decided for title to be somewhat more spicey in hopes it will create a longer and deeper conversation re asteroids and the danger they present to live on Earth. Clickbaity I agree, it is not misleading tho - for close to 15 years we weren't sure whether it will hit or miss. I would argue we are still too far off from the randevou date. At the distance MN4 is today, any collision with another body of even 1% of its weight, could change trajectory dramatically - put Earth on a bullseye path, or "kick" asteroid out of Earth orbit trajectory altogether. We will have to live there to see it, I guess.
InfiniteRand 5y ago
Is there any potential for the asteriod to hit any geostationary satellites?

akagusu 5y ago

It's about time. The world needs a break from humans.

peakaboo 5y ago
You mean our leaders i think. It's a common mistake to look at the world and think ordinary humans are causing all the problems when it's the leaders of each country and huge corporation causing them.
- ecolonsmak 5y ago
  it would be a mistake to think leaders are any different than ordinary humans.

weare138 5y ago

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