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Discussion » Questions » Science and Technology » What do you think would happen if an asteroid -about 4 miles in diameter, speed at 25,000 MPH just missed us by 1000 feet?

What do you think would happen if an asteroid -about 4 miles in diameter, speed at 25,000 MPH just missed us by 1000 feet?

Posted - August 27, 2019

Responses


  • 16199
    It would make Hiroshima look like a picnic. 1000ft is nothing - and at that speed, it wouldn't miss. Less than escape velocity, given zero thrust and losses due to friction, it would be drawn back into Earth's gravity well and strike somewhere else.
      August 27, 2019 11:53 PM MDT
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  • 5391
    When you say “us” are you saying the earth’s atmosphere, the surrounding magnetic field, or the actual surface? 

    Figuring that an asteroid of that size possesses some amount of it’s own gravity, it would seem to me that upon closing in on the earth’s magnetic field, the two bodies would be drawn together, like 2 magnets, ending catastrophically. 
    See Chicxulub

    This post was edited by Don Barzini at August 29, 2019 11:24 AM MDT
      August 28, 2019 4:44 AM MDT
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  • 13395
    Right.  I guess there is no comparison to imagining it like a bullet wizzing by within an inch of a person's skull. 
      August 28, 2019 6:06 AM MDT
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  • 5391
    Right. Neither bullets or skulls have gravity. 
      August 28, 2019 6:19 AM MDT
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  • 44175
    Yes they do.
      August 28, 2019 2:19 PM MDT
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  • 16199
    Not a significant amount. Mass of both have a negligible effect on each other in the presence of a much larger mass, ie an entire planet.
      August 28, 2019 9:45 PM MDT
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  • 44175
    Unless the asteroid was a permanent magnet, it would not have a magnetic field. However, asteroids have a high percentage of iron and nickle, therefore The earth's field could have a very small effect.
      August 28, 2019 2:18 PM MDT
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  • 6023
    ... and even if you're using the "actual surface" ... is that at sea level, the top of Mt Everest, or somewhere in between?
      August 29, 2019 11:25 AM MDT
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  • 46117
    We would notice.  And 1,000 feet is NOT missing.  What is that, like about 4 houses and yards?  Don't make me laugh.   A "bullet" just whizzing by is not the size of what you are talking about.  It would carry some wind velocity with it that would move things around here on this planet.   This post was edited by WM BARR . =ABSOLUTE TRASH at August 28, 2019 6:44 PM MDT
      August 28, 2019 11:02 AM MDT
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  • 13395
    It would smash tall buildings,  shear off mountains tops and there would be fiery debris falling off and starting a lot of fires in the case of just whizzing close by.
      August 28, 2019 1:18 PM MDT
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  • 44175
    The shock wave would obliterate everything in its path, even if it didn't hit. I'm going to do some rough calculations and get back to you.
      August 28, 2019 2:23 PM MDT
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  • 13395
    Sure.. thanks. 
      August 28, 2019 7:01 PM MDT
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  • 2327
    Only 1000? Then It would probably hit a number of high altitude mountains. 
      August 28, 2019 4:54 PM MDT
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