Asteroid Flyby - watch it live on slooh.com!

[TGirl Nikki]

For all you other space nerds out there, you can watch live coverage of 2005 YU55 as it passes within 200,000 miles of earth (which is even closer than the moon). This is the closest flyby of a NEA (near-earth asteroid) in 200 years, so check out slooh.com at 9pm EST for coverage!

(For those who are wondering, the answer is yes - the nightlife in Halifax really is that boring.)

 

[GPIDEAL]

I didn't think it was that close but they may have quoted the distance in kilometres which seems farther (360,000 km).

The moon is what, 240,000 miles away?

I hear the asteroid is 400 metres across, about as big as Parliament Hill (someone joked it should land on Parliament Hill but heaven forbid any collision with Earth).

 

[Ceiling Cat]

It is the size of an aircraft carrier. The distance from the earth to the moon is 384,400 kms. The asteroid will pass approx. 360,000 from earth. If it hits the moon, we will be in deep DooDoo!( technical term used by astronomers and Astrophysicist )

 

[blackrock13]

I`ll be there although I`ll have to see it in reruns, but according to members Whitewaterguy and MrMessi, no one gives shit.

It Missed Me by That Much

Good to know that`s not the case

Look Up, Look Way Up! Oh, wait, never mind.

 

[TGirl Nikki]

I didn't think it was that close but they may have quoted the distance in kilometres which seems farther (360,000 km).

The moon is what, 240,000 miles away?

I hear the asteroid is 400 metres across, about as big as Parliament Hill (someone joked it should land on Parliament Hill but heaven forbid any collision with Earth).

That's exactly right, the moon is about 240,000 miles from earth, which translates to 384,000 km from us.

Here's a cool pic from the nasa.gov website:

 

[GPIDEAL]

You know Nikki, for some of us Terbites who were around for the Apollo moon missions, we loved that space stuff with posters in our bedrooms, models of the Saturn V rocket, lunar module and pics of the astronauts. We drank tang too cuz that's what the astronauts had on board. Then we memorized a pile of stats like how far the moon was (240,000 miles) or how fast the Comman Module would go upon re-entry into the earth's atmosphere (about 25,000 mph). The Saturn V rocket had 5 engines (those big nozzles sticking out the end in the 1st stage).

 

[TGirl Nikki]

You know Nikki, for some of us Terbites who were around for the Apollo moon missions, we loved that space stuff with posters in our bedrooms, models of the Saturn V rocket, lunar module and pics of the astronauts. We drank tang too cuz that's what the astronauts had on board. Then we memorized a pile of stats like how far the moon was (240,000 miles) or how fast the Comman Module would go upon re-entry into the earth's atmosphere (about 25,000 mph). The Saturn V rocket had 5 engines (those big nozzles sticking out the end in the 1st stage).

You mean like this?

 

[TGirl Nikki]

Here's another that shows the scale a bit better:

I've always loved studying the cosmos, and learning more about the universe we live in - I think it's a fundamental attribute of humanity to explore, and try to understand the nature of the environment around us. I swear, if there were any way to earn a living while doing it, I'd have become an astronomer straight out of high school... even though I probably couldn't survive the tedium. But I'm sure there are many others who feel the same way.

 

[GPIDEAL]

Nikki, that's as hawt as your backside baby! You're giving me an erection.

 

[whitewaterguy]

Here's another that shows the scale a bit better:

I've always loved studying the cosmos, and learning more about the universe we live in - I think it's a fundamental attribute of humanity to explore, and try to understand the nature of the environment around us. I swear, if there were any way to earn a living while doing it, I'd have become an astronomer straight out of high school... even though I probably couldn't survive the tedium. But I'm sure there are many others who feel the same way.

wow...those rockets could have fed a couple of million folks in starving third world countries for a lot of years. gotta love the priorities of the good old U.S.

 

[GPIDEAL]

wow...those rockets could have fed a couple of million folks in starving third world countries for a lot of years. gotta love the priorities of the good old U.S.

That argument is debatable ad nauseum.

From space science, comes understanding of our planet and perhaps how to sustain more people on it, or travel to other worlds for the survival of our species in the far future.

Besides, the space race was linked to the arms race with the Soviets. Unfortunately, it could've been worse if they didn't keep up or surpass them.

 

[whitewaterguy]

That argument is debatable ad nauseum.

From space science, comes understanding of our planet and perhaps how to sustain more people on it, or travel to other worlds for the survival of our species in the far future.

Besides, the space race was linked to the arms race with the Soviets. Unfortunately, it could've been worse if they didn't keep up or surpass them.

it's an interesting perspective indeed. how to sustain more humans who for the most part are constantly warring with each other and killing each other..so we would have maybe twice as many participants? And although the space race is essentially over....what...by a couple of decades...the burgeoning population in Africa continues to increase sending more folks into starvation...great plans of those in control since the 60's. Nasa is still in business however, and of course..the States can most certainly afford to keep tossing away their cash while most city infrastructures and local economies rot.. but l;ets keep our eyes on Mars..there's a whole lotta hope for us up there

 

[TGirl Nikki]

Nikki, that's as hawt as your backside baby! You're giving me an erection.

Awww, thanks hun - I'm more than a little stimulated by this myself. ;-)

wow...those rockets could have fed a couple of million folks in starving third world countries for a lot of years. gotta love the priorities of the good old U.S.

Interesting that you've chosen this thread to make that argument - after all, if this asteroid were a mere 200,000 miles closer to us (the width of an eyelash in a cosmic scale) I don't think anyone would be questioning the value of space exploration...

 

[Moraff]

wow...those rockets could have fed a couple of million folks in starving third world countries for a lot of years. gotta love the priorities of the good old U.S.

And what would it have changed if we had? Merely giving them food without either finding ways to either enable them to feed themselves or reduce the population-level to something sustainable only drags out the inevitable.

Perhaps we should evaluate your priorities to see where you are frittering away cash that could be turned into food for these people you are worried about?

 

[Aardvark154]

(For those who are wondering, the answer is yes - the nightlife in Halifax really is that boring.)

I love Halifax but in terms of nightlife you are entirely correct.

 

[whitewaterguy]

And what would it have changed if we had? Merely giving them food without either finding ways to either enable them to feed themselves or reduce the population-level to something sustainable only drags out the inevitable.

Perhaps we should evaluate your priorities to see where you are frittering away cash that could be turned into food for these people you are worried about?

well...perhaps that money could have been used to develop technologies to assist them in enabling them to feed themselves,,and for sure the population growth there will be their ultimate demise...and the rest of the planet will in fact not care because Africa will not have a significant consumer base to buy our mfg goods. so lets just leave them to their own devices.

 

[Scarey]

The Lower Deck, The liquor Dome, Cheers, The Old Triangle,Reflections,Your fathers Moustache, Economy Shoe Shop, and the list goes on and on and on.....if that does nothing for you a nice walk along the Halifax Waterfront listening to the sounds of the ocean..very well lit and safe...take a ride on the Ferry......check out a set at the casino....wonderful little intimate dining areas....try La Cave....wonderful town..and night life too....great memories

 

[shakenbake]

Awww, thanks hun - I'm more than a little stimulated by this myself. ;-)

...

How's this one?

"Her curves described parabolas that would cause cardiac arrest in yak......."

Actually, your sexy feminine curves make my heart beat so fast! And, they have nothing whatsoever to do with yak!

 

[Aardvark154]

The Lower Deck, The liquor Dome, Cheers, The Old Triangle,Reflections,Your fathers Moustache, Economy Shoe Shop, and the list goes on and on and on.....if that does nothing for you a nice walk along the Halifax Waterfront listening to the sounds of the ocean..very well lit and safe...take a ride on the Ferry......check out a set at the casino....wonderful little intimate dining areas....try La Cave....wonderful town..and night life too....great memories

At least in the Summer I've even seen amazing sights at the Five Fishermen Restaurant.

 

[GPIDEAL]

well...perhaps that money could have been used to develop technologies to assist them in enabling them to feed themselves,,and for sure the population growth there will be their ultimate demise...and the rest of the planet will in fact not care because Africa will not have a significant consumer base to buy our mfg goods. so lets just leave them to their own devices.

Why should the U.S. be the only one to sacrifice science or it's technological priorities to eradicate poverty or famine in Africa, when aid might end up in corrupt hands, or require costly military intervention to enforce it? What makes you think that they can cultivate more food to eradicate famine in Africa where birth rates are not even controlled?

I think your criticism of space exploration is simplistic and perhaps irrelevant. Even when you know that such budgets have been drastically curtailed, or costs significantly lowered using high-tech satellites and robotics to continue such exploration, the plight of Africans endures.