City-Sized Asteroid to Pass Earth This Fall

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    Asteroid Earth Fall
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the upcoming close pass of a city-sized asteroid, Toutatis, on September 29, 2004. Participants explore its characteristics, past events involving asteroids, and the implications of its proximity to Earth.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes Toutatis as having a unique dumbbell shape and an unusual rotation that complicates understanding its dynamics.
  • Another participant recalls a past event where an asteroid reportedly bounced off Earth's atmosphere, suggesting a historical context for asteroid interactions.
  • A participant reassures others that Toutatis will pass at a safe distance of about a million miles from Earth, which is significantly farther than the Moon.
  • There is a suggestion that not all participants may read the entire article, indicating a need for summarization or clarification of key points.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of concern about the asteroid's pass, with some emphasizing its safety while others reflect on past asteroid events. No consensus is reached regarding the implications of the asteroid's shape and rotation.

Contextual Notes

Some statements depend on interpretations of past asteroid events and the significance of Toutatis's characteristics, which remain unresolved in the discussion.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in astronomy, asteroid dynamics, and space events may find this discussion relevant.

Evo
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"On Sept. 29, 2004 an asteroid the size of a small city will make the closest known pass of such a very large space rock anytime this century."

"Toutatis looks something like a dumbbell hurtling awkwardly through space. It has a crazy rotation that makes normal days impossible. Scientists can't explain the shape or the spin, but they're eager to learn more in September when, during the close pass, even backyard skywatchers will be able to spot the asteroid."

article at http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mystery_monday_040503.html
 
Astronomy news on Phys.org
Evo said:
"On Sept. 29, 2004 an asteroid the size of a small city will make the closest known pass of such a very large space rock anytime this century."

Wasn't there an asteroid that bounced off of Earth's atmosphere a few years ago? I seem to recall that in the news about 1997/98.
 
Thanks for the link Evo. It's worth mentioning this to put everyone's mind at ease

it will zoom by our planet within a million miles, or about four times the distance to the Moon.
 
Good idea Phobos, since not everyone will read the entire article. :frown:
 

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