Current Event 10.6.11
For over thirty-five years, an asteroid hasn’t come close to Earth. But on Tuesday, a meteor larger than an aircraft carrier will pass between the Moon and Earth. Scientists say the space rock won’t come anywhere near hitting Earth. They say that it won’t be a threat, but an opportunity. The meteor is being watched by satellites as it moves closer to the sun. This asteroid has been named 2005 YU55, and it was first discovered in 2005. The asteroid will be within 202,000 miles of Earth at 6:28 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2011. 2005 YU55 will be 150,000 miles away from the moon. Jay Melosh, professor of Earth and atmospheric sciences at Purdue University says that the Earth and Moon will be safe, this time. A crater four miles across and 1,700 feet deep will be created if the asteroid does happen to hit the Earth. He predicts that it would cause a magnitude of 7 earthquake and 70-foot-high hurricane waves. However, scientists are positive it won’t harm the Earth, ever since they started tracking it in 2005. It is a large asteroid, much larger than the ones scientists have tracked before, reaching lengths of quarter-mile across. Much smaller asteroids come close to Earth, but a large one like this hasn’t come near Earth since 1976. Scientists predict that Earth will not meet another large asteroid until 2028. Telescopes and tests will be needed to determine it this meteor contains frozen water. Astronomers and scientists have classified the 2005 YU55 a C-type asteroid. A C-type meteor is an asteroid with carbon-based materials inside of it. There is a theory that asteroids like this one brought carbon and water to the early Earth, which helped get our planet going. If there is frozen water on the 2005 YU55, then that would help to support the theory. If the 2005 YU55 does contain frozen water, then NASA would consider going to the 2005 YU55. The asteroid could be used as a watering hole and fueling stations for future explorers, as astronomers say. The 2005 YU55 has already been put on NASA’s list of destinations. In the decades to come, President Barack Obama wants astronauts to go to a meteor and then Mars. The reason NASA shut down was to save money for later events such as these. Apophis, another asteroid measuring 885 feet across, will come very close to Earth on April 13, 2029, but will not make contact. The same asteroid will come nearer to Earth on April 13, 2036, and may strike Earth. By studying asteroids today, scientists can make future predictions and precautions to prevent a meteor
from hitting Earth.
I think that this is really cool, and it makes me feel special, knowing that Tuesday night, I might be able to see a meteor coming close to Earth. Just knowing about the asteroid is an ineffable knowledge, because there are truly no words to describe what is going on. For astronomers and scientists, it is a good learning experience, as there is still much to be learned about Earth and space. Knowing that NASA is going to make a reappearance with the space program is pretty cool. I was sad when NASA closed, but now I know that it is saving money for later missions. I hope the scientists find frozen water on 2005 YU55, so there would be a supported theory on how the Earth started. Knowing about the other asteroid, Apophis, is pretty scary. In 2029, it will come very close to Earth, and when it returns, there is a chance of the meteor hitting Earth.
"Quarter-mile-wide asteroid coming close to Earth." 20011. Sunday November 6, 2011 http://news.yahoo.com/quarter-mile-wide-asteroid-coming-close-earth-190357761.html.