2006-07-07 03:04:03 · 21 answers · asked by bgantcdd 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
We could just ask North Korea. They seem to like testing their Long-Range Rockets. You gotta feel sorry for Japan, but then you remember all the threats they gave us about using Nukes, and then it gets funny. Paybacks a bit**
2006-07-07 03:10:54 · answer #1 · answered by Randall M 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
500 yards is pretty big, but not that big. It would most likely be drastically reduced or broken apart after hitting the earth's atmosphere. Given the earth is largely water, chance are it will hit the ocean.
While there is currently a NASA type group that monitors these types of objects, this one may be too small to find even with the best telescopes.
It is possible that a missile could be used to deter it if there was enough advance notice.
2006-07-07 04:09:02 · answer #2 · answered by davescoggs 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it only approaches but still misses Earth, nobody will stop it. If we know years in advance that it is definitely on a collision course, I suppose the world's space agencies would try to come up with a way to deflect it. It would be a big boost for space agency funding for sure! Nobody would be complaining how we should spend that money on Earth instead of wasting it in space.......... Who am I kidding, some people would still say that. There would be conspiracy theories that it was all faked to get money for NASA or whatever. But not many would say that.
2006-07-07 03:57:43 · answer #3 · answered by campbelp2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Earth's ozone. It would break up the asteroid until it was space dust, nothing of any considerable size would reach the earth's surface. I am sorry to have to tell you this but the "asteroid destroying all life on earth" scenario is just hype. In reality, at least five asteroids as big or bigger than the one that supposedly killed the dinosaurs crashed into the Earth in the Mesozoic . . .with no noticeable die-off.
2006-07-07 03:35:36 · answer #4 · answered by Isis-sama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Earth just had a close call on July 3rd 2006,
http://skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/asteroids/article_1751_1.asp
It went by far enough not to be noticed but yet close enough to be
an exciting event. Going back to your question....it all depends of the circumstances...and time plays an important factor...anything less than five years... I guess Humanity or a great part of it does not have much hope...
2006-07-07 03:20:56 · answer #5 · answered by EC2talk2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Astronomers will know that the asteroid is coming decades before it actually hits. because of that NASA has thought of a lot of crazy ideas. They said that we would build a moon base with giant tractor beems or send a rocket to pump out all of the metal and even to send a bunch of rockets to push or blow it up. If that all doesn't work only God will be able to save us all.
2006-07-07 03:29:31 · answer #6 · answered by Eric X 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bruce Willis
2006-07-07 03:07:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Superman
2006-07-07 03:07:19 · answer #8 · answered by jb68 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one.
But what a great excuse for Mr Bush to build a humungous "nucular" bomb and then accidentally drop it on Iran.
We are far more likely to be the masters of our own downfall.
2006-07-07 04:25:38 · answer #9 · answered by Epidavros 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scientist can see years into space, so if there was a astroid that big, we would see it coming at least 20 yrs in advance.
As for stopping it, im down with armageddon.
2006-07-07 03:07:56 · answer #10 · answered by Alex D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋