07/15/2008

Binary Asteroid in Earth Fly-By

Scientists just realized that an asteroid currently speeding past our planet at six times the distance of the moon is not a single object, but two objects orbiting one another:

"It will not strike the planet. But scientists want to learn more about binary asteroids because one day they might find one headed our way. Deflecting a binary off course could be considerably more challenging than altering the path of a single rock...The objects are estimated to be 1,970 feet (600 meters) and 650 feet (200 meters) in diameter. The larger one rotates upon its axis in 3 hours or less."

You may have missed...
Mars Phoenix Lander Finds Ice? [tr]
Mars Orbiter Photographs Phoenix Mars Lander in Descent [tr]
Third Red Spot Erupts on Jupiter [tr]
Reconnaissance Orbiter Photographs Avalanche on Mars [tr]

Sphere: Related Content

Posted 5:30 PM EST by Andy in News, Space | Permalink

---

Like it?

Subscribe to FREE Towleroad daily headlines with our RSS feed!

... or by Email

RECENT STORIES:

• Recharge

• A Second Look at the First Look

• Single Ladies

• News: Aaron Harvey, Sundance, Brad Pitt, Home Depot, Cleve Jones

• L.A. Times Profiles Popular Transgender Mayor Stu Rasmussen

---

Comments

1. Thanks, Andy... I hadn't seen this story elsewhere. A very nice piece of space porn... very cool.

   Posted by: Anonymous | Jul 16, 2008 8:24:19 AM

   
   

Post a comment

Name:

Email Address:

URL:

Remember personal info?

Comments: