The Armaugh Observatory has put together a chart of the positions of asteroids in the inner solar system, a small version of which is reproduced below. The red dots are asteroids which cross the earth's orbit (click on the picture for the larger version and a more detailed explanation); these asteroids pose a threat to all life on earth. It isn't a question of if one of these will hit us; the question is when.
The Armaugh Observatory site also links to this animation of the asteroids and inner planets. They state that
It is estimated that there are perhaps 100,000 to 1,000,000 undiscovered asteroids on similar Earth crossing orbits.After seeing this picture (or the animation), is it any wonder that the B612 Foundation wants to figure out a way to alter the orbit of an asteroid?
Have a Nice Day.
(hat tip to the Eternal Golden Braid)
Technorati Tags: Space, Asteroids
2 comments:
Michael, I like the way you think. Most people look at the moon and they see romance, a sense of wonder, whatever. Me, when I look at the moon, I see the biggest damn strip mine ya ever saw. And I think the same way you do about these asteroids, particularly the Apollos and Atens: money money money.
The Dawn mission might have answered your question. Looks like that won't happen now, at least not by NASA... however, if a few small space companies (*ahem*) manage to start flying orbital missions, then it isn't much of a stretch for them to be sending assaying missions to near earth asteroids.
"Most people look at the moon and they see romance, a sense of wonder, whatever. Me, when I look at the moon, I see the biggest damn strip mine ya ever saw."
I see BOTH!
I also see the money in asteroids. In more ways than one.
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