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On November 8th, Earth will have a close encounter with a sizable asteroid. But not too close, thankfully.
The asteroid, designated 2005 YU55, will pass Earth at a distance of about 325,000 kilometers, just inside the orbit of the moon. Asteroids come that close frequently, but 2005 YU55 is notable for its dimensions: 400 meters in diameter. NASA says the asteroid is the size of an aircraft carrier, but it's actually even larger.
The last time an asteroid this big came this close to Earth was 1976, and it looks like it won't happen again until 2028. So astronomers are taking the rare opportunity to study a hefty asteroid without having to send a craft into deep space. Scientists will use two of the largest radio telescopes on the planet, one in California and one in Puerto Rico, to make radar images of the asteroid.
Comets and asteroids preserve the building blocks of the planets. And studying them up close provides clues to how planet Earth came to be. So visitors such as 2005 YU55 are welcome—as long as they keep a respectful distance.
—John Matson
[The above text is a transcript of this podcast.]
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70 Comments
Add CommentSince when do asteroids make plans? Titles like that make it really hard to take anything imn the article seriously.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPerhaps your problem is your need to take everything so seriously.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMadScientist72,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe are all aware that by our definition asteroids do not make plans. More so, one would assume that another reader of this site would be aware of that fact as well as the literary device called personification.
To add a bit of colour and joviality to what may be considered rather bland. Is no reason to face such stern criticism. If you are to make such comments, I suggest finding a sense of humour and a browser with a spell checker first.
Matson, I was always advised by my teachers in English to assume the reader is stupid. I am not a writer, and that may well be why. However, in this instance it unfortunately seems to be fitting advice.
I'm with Mad Scientist. No need to defend poor writing. I see it everywhere now.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYou're on the internet. Google it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHopefully that spell checker would tell you it's "color" not "colour," and "sense of humor," not "sense of humour."
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this(Sigh) - collegehumor.com/video/5817726/internet-bridge-troll
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis Asteroid is a planner and has had this trip planned for over a year. The proof is that it has a suitcase as big as a tugboat along for the trip.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHe spelled those words correctly. There are two ways to spell them and they're both correct.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYes, even in the US, the metric system is the standard for scientific measurement. You betray your lack of proper schooling with criticisms of what a New Yorker would know, and thus should demand, of a scientific piece regardless of publishing locale. Your point holds no water and could be construed as (appropriately) self-effacing.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFurther, don't correct 'colour' for 'color,' nor 'humour' for 'humor.' Their spelling predates ours, and is not an error.
Asteroids were never known for consideration of their fellows during travel plans. One would think a certain vector-based game showed us all that definitively, so many years ago.
I agree with MadScientist on the title. Are there grown up editors on duty at SA?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFor "several" years now the method in which they track and designate the path of the many things in our vast universe is referred to as a "plan". This is talking in a manner which a computer would understand. Sorry to burst anybodies bubble and yes there are two ways to spell both words thanks to our french counterparts. Focus people, stop picking on each other and enjoy the freedom of this venue stop making it so Grey or should I say Gray. hmmmmm?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI'm with you. What kind of self-respecting asteroid would plan a fly by of this flea infested planet? It sounds more like a comet conspiracy where 2005YU55 was duped!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPerhaps you are ignorant of the fact that that is the correct spelling in Great Britain and many other countries.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNot to mention our great neighbors to the north who also share America with us (even if they are chagrined to admit it)... Perhaps the spelling in U.S. is the exception.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOh, and I was just starting to have fun. Darn.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNow I aint no si entest or anthing like that bot yall ned to get a life and get to living, bfore this here rock that’s planded a visit for some time now arivs we don’t want it to think we are a bushel of morons do we?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWell, it's a international scientific journal and the units for international science is metric. Think global!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisInternational English, not US English.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThanks!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSo, Jim, you'd like Scientific American bloggers to write like semi-literate bigots? In other words, forget about the "scientific" part? I suggest you try one of the many religious Web sites instead; they won't bother you with those pesky International scientific units of measurement (or, indeed, very many facts, if they can manage to avoid them).
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMadscientist, sciencebystander, and the spellcheck guy make me wish 2005 YU 55 was indeed "planning" to impact Earth. They've made it clear mankind could use another extinction event to thin out the egg-pushing dodos in our flocks.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThese shapes before you on the screen are words; learn to work with them and they will work for you. This is a website for a publication; this means there will be lots of words. Just read the f****** articles and talk about the subjects presented in them. No one gives a damn about the headline and in what manner it provoked you to click its link, not even the editor, so long as you clicked it anyway. Nor is ye olde method of spelling "colour" or differentiating between any of our language's other heteronyms of any relevance, especially here and now - language evolves constantly. So get over the self importance and just understand the damn word for what it is, if it is not beyond your capacity to do so.
On that note, mildly entertaining article, though I already knew this rock was coming. The comment entertainment value made it a worthier read. I expected more open mindedness and rational development from a science crowd. Thanks for the entertainment.
Now if I could just get that freaking laser beam off that shark I attached it to, I could do some colourful, humorous asteroid blasting reminiscent of that famous Atari game. :)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this1,864,114 Furlongs
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this205,000,000 fathoms
or for the very old 820,210,000 cubits
On the point of ASTEROIDS, I am disappointed that all the science we can do on an object passing this near, is to radar image it. That's the real shame. We have all the "know how" to get close, hitch a ride, or impact it and analyze the dust cloud. What a shame we can't do good science, but we can send people to school in NY who want to stick with the English measurement system for science, or have no ability to see the lighter side of a title in a simple and interesting soft science story.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisColour is "English" and Color is "American"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisbig deal...get over it!
Hey how about informing all the TV stations to stop using the term "shooting stars" when referring to meteors. When ever there is a meteor shower, the weather caster always informs us to look skyward to see the shooting stars.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf I understand it every 17 years it intersects the earth's orbit, each time a little closer and presumably passes through the orbit of the moon as well. Okay it will miss the earth for a while but has anyone calculated the probability of it hitting the moon? I would guess that would also be a bad thing.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI reread the paragraph and now understand that it will not be 2005YU55 but a cousin, my question is still valid what about the moon's orbit.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWow. there's a spelling and semantics debate in the shadow of a monolithic NEO! A near miss of humbling proportions. Brace yourselves kids. You will see a significant impact within our lifetime.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisExcellent information. However, enquiring minds now want to know how fast is this puppy moving in furlongs per fortnight?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDo we expect a changes in the tides to worry about?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe two ways to spell 'color' and 'humor,' is the difference between British and American spellings. And this is Scientific AMERICAN, so in this case, spelling it the British way is wrong and stupid. And I agree asteroids don't make plans... but maybe the being who sent the asteroid has plans and is trying to say something.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt would be very useful to keep "scientific" - as in keep kosher - and report on the estimated radar tracking error radius for the closest approach distance estimate. After all, I think it was just last year, NASA estimated that one asteroid's closest approach to Earth would be 4,000,000 miles - and the actual approach was more like 26,000 miles - just above geo-synch satellite orbit altitude. That suggests that computer projections based on deep space radar tracking can have an error radius of at least 4,000,000 miles - which could mean yelling "YU55, where are you?" might be really non-trivial and could be key to creating support for the future of GOP-controlled funding for NASA JPL's Near Earth Object Program Office and necessary capital improvements to deep space tracking systems and purchase of new spacecraft capabilities. Don't just poo-poo NASA reports - Ask questions that really matter. Like, why does the Sun have a natural defense system that can target and blast in-falling comets - and what does that suggest about the size of the radius of survivability for planets when the Sun finally goes nova?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFirst, blame the headline writer. Second, the trajectory isn't even in the same plane as the earth or moon. Nothing close about this encounter.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have to agree with MadScientist. Most science writing is just stupid these days. I know from experience that people do respond to material that doesn't talk to them like four year olds. Anthropomorphizing the entire universe in order to make it "accessible" only serves to drive a wedge between people and reality.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisArticles like this drive me crazy from lack of details. I tried searching for more information with no success. Can anyone please educate this common guy?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCan the asteroid be seen with the unaided eye? If not, then what is required to see it? From where can it be seen? In which direction should we look? For how long will it be visible? How far away from city lights will we need to be to see it? Is it worth the trouble for a common guy to even try seeing it?
Thanks to all who will educate us for free!
Jim, I hear your frustration. Neil deGrasse Tyson answers the opposite frustration of a Canadian citizen in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OZ3B4WRSHk
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe gist of his answer is that Americans on the whole are not acquainted with metrics, and his goal is to reach the American audience in a meaningful way. On the other hand, when he is talking and working with his professional peers, he employs the metric system. Indeed, that is very American, at least with reference to the American astronomer. When one considers the term "order of magnitude," which is based in ten, perhaps it's a bit easier to understand why it must be so.
I hope my reply helps, and please know that I'm not answering you in a sarcastic way. As I said, I do hear your frustration.
I understand that the asteroid is dark colored and somewhat non-reflective, making it difficult to find even with an adequate telescope.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNo, humour and colour are not correct in American English. Please note the title of the magazine.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI'm waiting for planetary plans -- when will we see the galactic plans?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSome ridiculous pedants on here discussing spelling instead of this wonderful astronomical event. My question to the author is a simple one. Will this be visible to the naked eye and if so what can we expect to actually see please? Many thanks.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIf it's a significant event NASA will post it on their site.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2011-332
Regarding the debate on spelling, I wish the grammar corrections could save an apocalypse.
Canada is an American country sharing the North American continent with the United States and Mexico. Canada uses the correct version of Colour and Humour. Not to mention Theatre. The U.S. Americans are the ones who have devolved the spelling of those words.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhat kind of impact would something like this create if it did hit the earth? The crater in Arizona was caused by 150 foot-long object and its impact was equated to 10 megatons. Does anyone have any idea what this 1300-footer would do at the speeds it is traveling?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMaybe he just realizes that words have meaning, and you can't just use them randomly.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisUnfortunately, today's "journalists" have little understanding of the English language.
Jim32084, do you really have difficulty reading words like «colour» and «humour» ? Moreover, are you unaware of the fact that the units of science are based upon the so-called Système international d'unités, not the old British Imperial System ? If you do not understand what a kilometre is, perhaps you should look it up, rather than criticising those who do ?...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHenri
b/c the scientific community uses the SI or the metric system for more accurate measurements
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI think all of you have WAY too much time on your hands to be kibitzing about Americn vs British spelling and the use of "plans" in the article title.Im just thrilled to get the news. Will give my grandkids a chance to learn more about space. Im hoping it generates lots of questions.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAccurate scientific information is what counts. Give the editor a break!
American scientists as other scientists around the planet use kilometers to measure these kind of distances. Imperial units like miles are only used by Americans for non-scientific purposes.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIs that you Mr. Bush?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this1,864,114 Furlongs. That's something even the scientifically bone headed can use. Just divide by 8 to get miles, about 233,000 of them, just inside the orbit of the moon. Don't worry it doesn't plan another visit for eons. ("Eons" is not a technical term.)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisReading these comments, it made me picture who much more focused everyone would be if 2005 YU55 was going to pass Earth at a distance of 325 kilometers. ;-)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI am told the US military like kilometres. They also prefer grads to degrees (of arc). This is because it makes it just that little bit easier to do ballistics calculations: 100 kilometres subtend 1 grad of arc at the Earth's surface. I spell kilometres the way I do, BTW, 'cos I'm a Brit.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIts time you learned a little more about scientific units that the rest of the world uses...ironic that you can even read Scientific American
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSuch an amusing debate. You would think that a magazine devoted to science and technology would also adhere to the use of proper writing. Well, let's just rename the magazine "Scientific American Poetry" and move on.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNewsflash: SCIENCE, irrespective of WHERE it is done or published, uses METRIC measurements. We should be using it here but despite countless efforts to convert to metric the majority of Americans are too inept to adapt.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisToolong, yes the probabilities of Earth impact of all Near Earth Orbiting (NEO) objects that have been detected have been calculated by NASA - see http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/ca/. This list is constantly being updated and new objects added when they are discovered.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe rock in question, 2005 YU55, does not appear on the list of objects with a risk of impacting Earth. It was removed from the list some time ago based on observations that indicated its path will not cross Earth's at any time in the foreseeable future. No need to worry about this one.
The probability of that 2005 YU55's path will cross the Moon's can also be calculated (and may have been as a by-product of the NEO program) but these risks are not published because nobody cares. No one will die if an asteroid like YU55 hit the Moon. They're much too small, even at 400 metres across, to do any major damage to the Moon. On the contrary, a Moon impact would be celebrated by physicists and astronomers. What an opportunity it would be to study the composition of the Moon and asteroids up close if they did collide!
To Jim and others commenting on the language of bloggers, do you not find it incredibly ironic and stupid to be upset over how a blogger spells "colour" or "color", something so insignificant, when the article is about something so rare and cosmic? Just an observation.
Moreover, any criticisms of bloggers language should be restricted to just that - the bloggers writing skills - not the editors of Scientific American. One has absolutely nothing to do with the other.
Spelling is not the point of the article. The close proximity of the asteroid is. This allows for closer study. Maybe we can land these on the moon or the Australian outback for mineral mining.I expect the Moon would be the better place. We would not want to cause an extinction event would we. I'm thinking of the Nuclear power is safe lie. Oh! We can land this rock with no problem. Hum?? Not a good idea. I changed my mind. Mine it in space. Or use them as tugs to get supplies into the Martian orbit.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisColour and humour are British/Canadian spellings.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisJust so I get to "win" the spelling debate - American English, aside from being an arguable oxymoron, is a dialect of English, which is a dialect of French (diverging in the 1500s), which is a dialect of Italian, which is a dialect of Latin. Therefore ANY spelling of color or humor that is recognizable as being pronounced as color or humor respectively is indeed correct. Particularly since American English incorporates terms from Asian, Indigenous, Slavic, African, Germanic and South American sources (as well as sarcastic slang such as OK which is short for Oll Korect).
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIn other words: Czyll Owt!
PS. Any chance we can redirect the asteroid to hit D.C. and improve the USA?
You folks are getting off subject. This is typical for the cackling hen "humanoids" of this planet. This is a historic event. Yet any intelligent comment is diluted by the Spelling Nazi's mindless bickering.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI think it's all in fun. It is a historic event -yes. it will be happening -true. However the info in this article is just a teaser. I've looked it up in other articles to get more details. In the meantime, there's plenty of space for jovial fun. It really doesn't matter how things are spelled, it's just fun discussing it and see other peoples perspective. btw, the movie Melancholia provides an interesting perspective on how some people could behave during cataclysmic times. Even though this is a pass by of a relatively small object people are fascinated because it could have as easily been in our path. Not to mention this event provides us with an opportunity to observe the object closely without having to send a probe. It makes ones imagination wander to a place where some of the dots may get connected later.... But this article is far from an in-depth scientific review.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYou may be surprised to know that all the "Americans" both to the north and south of the USA, not to mention the entire scientific community, use the metric system. I would suggest that the US get with the rest of the world.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSee this link from scientificamerican.com that shows an article (interactive features) produced by John Matson:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=smith-mars-timeline
On that web page we can read the following:
*Launched: Dec. 1998
The Mars Climate Orbiter was to study Mars's atmosphere, including its water and carbon dioxide cycles. But NASA lost contact with the probe and it plunged headlong into the Martian atmosphere. The mishap was attributed to a mix-up of measurement units between the operations teams—one team used the metric system and the other used English units.*
Wow, perhaps I could suggest we all concentrate less on belittling each other and have some fun while we share thoughts. Incidentally, color and colour ARE both acceptable, as are humor and humour. We have simply chosen to stop using the "ou" in our every day writing. We have also done away with words like, burnt, for the most part. Oh yea, we probably should learn to NOT rely so much on spell check, as it is incorrect, or deficient on a regular basis. Words such as, lite, are correct in spell check, but have only become "real" through usage and really poor choices by dictionary publishers who want to appear current.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisBasic Science...by placing a auto-polarity on or within the object the earths magnetic field could easily repel same.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisNot my spell checker old boy. It may be SciAm but the internet thingy knows no bounds.(Oh for goodness sakes don't take that literally).
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt's not a title it's a name.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAnd we are writing our little humerous passages from all around the world ...
I mean American Scientist(?) -- I very much doubt that you are a scientist. Why are you reading this?
Get over it boy, it's gone.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this