Massive asteroid could hit Earth in 2182, warn scientists
A massive asteroid might crash into Earth in the year 2182, scientists have warned.
The asteroid, called 1999 RQ36, has a 1-in-1,000 chance of actually hitting the Earth at some point before the year 2200, but is most likely to hit us on 24th September 2182.
It was first discovered in 1999 and is more than 1,800 feet across. If an asteroid of this size hit the Earth it would cause widespread devastation and possible mass extinction.
And scientists say that any attempt to try and divert the asteroid will have to take place more than 100 years before it is due to hit to have any chance of success.
Maria Eugenia Sansaturio and scientists from the Universidad de Valladolid in Spain have used mathematical models to calculate the risk of the asteroid hitting the Earth anytime between now and the year 2200.
And they were shocked to discover that there are two potential opportunities for the asteroid to hit Earth in the year 2182
The asteroid is now behind the Sun and will next be observable only in the spring of 2011.
Cowardly asteroid ! Stop hiding behind the sun !
We'll just send Harry Stamper and crew to blow it up. No prob.
Now if it was a comet, we'd be screwed.
Oh, keep an eye on Rockhound. He's been acting a little nutty.
Maybe I should make travel plans, just in case.
"Get your ass to Mars."
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