NASA says that the asteroid 2012 DA14 will pass within about
3.5 Earth radii of the Earth’s surface on February 15, 2013. It will
pass inside the geosynchronous satellite ring, located about 35,800
kilometers (21,748 miles) above the equator. The impact energy is listed
as 2.41 megatons of TNT. NASA says this asteroid is not Earth bound. The asteroid rates as a 0 on the Torino Scale impact hazard scale.
At its closest approach, the asteroid could be as close as 14,000 miles from the Earth. The small asteroid is estimated to be about 60 meters (about 200 feet) across. It is not likely to collide with any satellites. However, when it flies past Earth it will be under the influence of the Earth’s gravitational field. Passing close to the Earth could cause the asteroid’s orbit to change and bring it closer to Earth – or father away from Earth.
Telephone and television satellites are parked in geostationary orbits in the Clarke Belt at 22,500 miles with less than two degree spacing.
2012 DA14 will pass through our communication satellite belt twice: First time – On its way toward Earth and Second time – back through the belt again on its way out.
Angle at which the object 2012 DA14 enters and leaves the Clarke Belt will determine the possibility of taking out one or more satellites. It is unknown what other rocks 2012 DA14 may have traveling along with it towards Earth.
If this asteroid, 60 meters in diameter, will, if Earth’s gravity impacts its trajectory as some believe, strike North Africa with the force of 2000 nuclear weapons, a collision not unlike that of the Tunguska “event” of 1908.
Sources within NASA had informed Veteranstoday that two “vehicles” had been launched on a mission. Veteranstoday were given no other information than this. Read more
A ground impact will be far worse.
Hopefully 2012 DA14 will pass by and nothing serious will happen.
Video from March 2012
Video from January 2013
Link JPL: ssd.jpl.nasa.gov
At its closest approach, the asteroid could be as close as 14,000 miles from the Earth. The small asteroid is estimated to be about 60 meters (about 200 feet) across. It is not likely to collide with any satellites. However, when it flies past Earth it will be under the influence of the Earth’s gravitational field. Passing close to the Earth could cause the asteroid’s orbit to change and bring it closer to Earth – or father away from Earth.
Telephone and television satellites are parked in geostationary orbits in the Clarke Belt at 22,500 miles with less than two degree spacing.
2012 DA14 will pass through our communication satellite belt twice: First time – On its way toward Earth and Second time – back through the belt again on its way out.
Angle at which the object 2012 DA14 enters and leaves the Clarke Belt will determine the possibility of taking out one or more satellites. It is unknown what other rocks 2012 DA14 may have traveling along with it towards Earth.
If this asteroid, 60 meters in diameter, will, if Earth’s gravity impacts its trajectory as some believe, strike North Africa with the force of 2000 nuclear weapons, a collision not unlike that of the Tunguska “event” of 1908.
Sources within NASA had informed Veteranstoday that two “vehicles” had been launched on a mission. Veteranstoday were given no other information than this. Read more
A ground impact will be far worse.
Hopefully 2012 DA14 will pass by and nothing serious will happen.
Video from March 2012
Video from January 2013
Link JPL: ssd.jpl.nasa.gov