reply to post by thebtheb
We've been hit by asteroids, as well as had objects enter our atmosphere in my lifetime. It's inevitable, Earth will get hit at some point by
something. There is no use, freaking out over every single one how ever. There hasn't been a significant impact since the tunguska event, and even
that shows that when an Asteroid does come in, it's really unlikely a major population center will be hit. Too many of us seem to think Earth is
packed to the brim with human beings shoulder to shoulder, that land is the dominant terrain on earth.
Earth is 90% water for one, and the population density for the land that is there is sparse at best. Yes there are areas of the planet that are more
populated than others, but an asteroid on a collision course with earth of significant size is a like winning the lottery. It's not that common, but
it does happen. For that asteroid to hit somewhere significant is an even greater number. A lot of us get freaked out, when these sorts of things are
discussed, but even DA-14 poses little threat if it was to hit earth. it's 45m. Earth, is ENORMOUS compared to it. It's a speck of dust in space
next to Earth really. I know no one says it's an ELE Asteroid, but it's not really that dangerous either. I suppose it could be if it were made of
iron, came in at the perfect angle of entry to survive our atmosphere.
That's another thing, so many of us take the very air we breath for granted. The total mass of our atmosphere is greater than DA-14. Ever shoot a
bullet into water? It's really quite impressive how quick that bullet breaks apart. Many don't make it more than a foot into the water before they
have completely broken apart and spent all their energy. This is much the same with many objects entering our atmosphere. Fluid Dynamics applies to
Gasses and Liquids alike. DA-14 moving from a near vaccum like space, at enormous speeds into something as dense as our atmosphere poses amazingly
catastrophic results. The faster the object is going when it hits the atmosphere, the more potential for " fire works." If DA-14 were significantly
larger, I would be #ting my pants if it were on a collision course, but it's a speck of dirt really. Even if it were coming in at a 90degree
inclination( best for airburst.) it wouldn't pose serious risk, it would blow up, miles above the surface. The US, British, Russian used to test
nukes larger than the potential energy at lower altitudes with out overt effects on the ground. They actually did it to spare spoiling soil, but
learned it was no better when it came to the radioactive effects.