Asteroid!!!
Posted: Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:12 am
I can't believe I hadn't heard this elsewhere or before.http://www.soonews.ca/viewarticle.php?id=7350 wrote: Huge Asteroid To Have Close Encounter On Monday
SooNews Staff -- SooNews.ca -- Saturday, July 1, 2006, 5:56PM
A huge chunk of rock and ice will have a close encounter with Earth in the early morning hours of Monday, July 3rd according to scientist who have been tracking the asteroid for the last few years.
Astronomers say there is no danger of impact.The asteroid, known as 2004 XP14, will whiz by about 433,000 kilometres from the Earth, slightly farther away than the moon.
The best place to see the asteroid will be in North America, where it will appear as a small moving dot in the sky. People on the west coast will have the best seats for the cosmic adventure around 9:25 PM
Astronomers know little about the asteroid, which was discovered in 2004. But it is estimated to be as wide as one kilometre based on its brightness.
More than 36 asteroids have flown close to earth in the last few years, but this asteroid is believed to be the biggest based on it's brightness.
Scientists estimate 2004 XP14 will have 10 more close encounters with Earth over this century.
As viewed from Earth, 2004 XP14 is expected to cut through the constellations Andromeda, Perseus and Cassiopeia.
