Newly Discovered Asteroid Flew Safely Past the Earth

[Binary_Bark]

(on May 8th, 2017), an asteroid swung past Earth on its way towards the Sun. This Near Earth Object (NEO), known as 2017 HX4, measures between 10 and 33 meters (32.8 and 108 feet) and made its closest approach to Earth at 11:58 am UT (7:58 am EDT; 4:58 am PT). Naturally, there were surely those who wondered if this asteroid would hit us and trigger a terrible cataclysm!

But of course, like most NEOs that periodically make a close pass to Earth, 2017 HX4 passed us by at a very safe distance. In fact, the asteroid’s closest approach to Earth was estimated to be at a distance of 3.7 Lunar Distances (LD) – i.e. almost four times the distance between the Earth and the Moon. This, and other pertinent information was tweeted in advance by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center (IAU MPC) on April 29th.

This object was first spotted on April 26th, 2017, using the 1.8 meter Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System (Pan-STARRS), located at the summit of Haleakala in Hawaii. Since that time, it has been monitored by multiple telescopes around the world, and its tracking data and information about its orbit and other characteristics has been provided by the IAU MPC.

Read More At: https://www.universetoday.com/13546...eroid-2017-hx4-flies-safely-past-earth-today/

 

[Creag]

They seem to be quite excited that it missed us by 3.7 lunar distances. They don't seem to be bothered that it could have been a bull's eye asteroid. I suppose there are literally hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of these objects that come our way. Perhaps it's best that we don't know about them than constantly fret about cataclysm and extinction

 

[Nerfherder]

They seem to be quite excited that it missed us by 3.7 lunar distances. They don't seem to be bothered that it could have been a bull's eye asteroid. I suppose there are literally hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of these objects that come our way. Perhaps it's best that we don't know about them than constantly fret about cataclysm and extinction

I think it was in a Bill Bryson book I was reading recently he explained that an asteroid big enough to take out civilisation would be undetectable until its too late. One day it will happen - just like its happened at least 7 times already and we will all die, just accept that. There would be no point in telling people either because we wont be able to shoot nukes at it or anything, not like in the movies.

 

[Creag]

I think it was in a Bill Bryson book I was reading recently he explained that an asteroid big enough to take out civilisation would be undetectable until its too late. One day it will happen - just like its happened at least 7 times already and we will all die, just accept that. There would be no point in telling people either because we wont be able to shoot nukes at it or anything, not like in the movies.

Sounds about right. No point in getting ourselves worked up over it. I'd be interested in reading said book. Do you perhaps recall its title?

 

[Seriously]

Yep. The future newly discovered bullseye asteroid will come one day to create havoc.