Earth in range of approaching asteroid

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Earth in range of approaching asteroid

US scientists have spotted a small asteroid or a piece of space junk they say has a one in 500 chance of hitting the earth in 30 years, far greater odds than any similar object ever discovered.

Officials from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory say if the object IS an asteroid and hits the planet, it would be equivalent to a nuclear blast.

The object has been designated 2000 SG344, and is believed to be up to 70 metres long.

Projections are that it will make its closest approach to earth on September 21 in 2030, while the chance of a collision is about 1,000 times greater than for any other asteroid-like object yet discovered.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newslink/nat/newsnat-4nov2000-40.htm

-- Carl Jenkins (somewherepress@aol.com), November 04, 2000


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