Number of asteroids that pose risk to Earth is doubled

www.newscientist.com...

Mainzer and colleagues sampled 107 potentially hazardous asteroids (a representative sample of the entire population) and extrapolated to predict the total number. They found that about 4700 of them – give or take 1500 – are 100 metres or larger in diameter. Only 20 to 30 per cent of these have actually been observed.

Extrapolation is not IMO the best method to determine the total but still there seems to be more than previously thought.

Spaceweather.com says 'On May 23, 2012 there were 1293 potentially hazardous asteroids.' many of which are smaller that the 100 meters given above. The 1293 is possibly related to the observed number mentioned above.

It's just a matter of time until we meet one up close and personal.

Originally posted by oghamxx
www.newscientist.com...

Mainzer and colleagues sampled 107 potentially hazardous asteroids (a representative sample of the entire population) and extrapolated to predict the total number. They found that about 4700 of them – give or take 1500 – are 100 metres or larger in diameter. Only 20 to 30 per cent of these have actually been observed.

Extrapolation is not IMO the best method to determine the total but still there seems to be more than previously thought.

Spaceweather.com says 'On May 23, 2012 there were 1293 potentially hazardous asteroids.' many of which are smaller that the 100 meters given above. The 1293 is possibly related to the observed number mentioned above.

It's just a matter of time until we meet one up close and personal.

I believe as we expand our knowledge with space exploration, and our cameras/satelites/telescopes/projections continue to evolve, I do think we will find thousands of more "hazardous" asteroids... Remember, they can only explore so much of the skies today, so who knows whats lurking out there... And yes, being hit is innevitable... I just hope our technology advances to the point where we can handle NEO...

Funny how it can just double in a flash. Did they find thousands all at the same time, a cluster maybe? I doubt it. or has someone been telling pork pies? Where was the count from where ever it was to where it is now. Surely it would go up one by one as they were spotted. Couple year and it will double again, and so on, eventually we will be in cased in rock and ice and we will be the new inner earth lol

reply to post by Wifibrains


watch as asteroids are discovered! (note, this is not real time and doesn't include 2011 or 2012)




note: green are asteroids with low probability of hitting earth, yellow greater, and red greatest.

now after having watched the video, isn't it silly how some people adamantly believe we either still have time to colonize other worlds and solar systems to protect our species(and potentially others on the planet) from extinction, or that it will never happen to us?

people bemoan the meager amount of money we spend on space exploration. someday they'll either thank their lucky stars we did spend that much, or weep to know we could have done something, if only we'd tried.

reply to post by optimus primal


Looks like we already are inner earth. If there is that many how come we can see the stars?

reply to post by Wifibrains


because space is big. really big.

Originally posted by Wifibrains
Funny how it can just double in a flash. Did they find thousands all at the same time, a cluster maybe? I doubt it. or has someone been telling pork pies?...

They did a new whole-sky survey using new equipment (the WISE spacecraft), and that new survey showed that the number is twice as much as the old survey (a survey that used old and less sensitive equipment) told them.