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The End: 2040, not 2012

Livewire

Livewire

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    Oops, we got it wrong. Again.

    https://rt.com/news/space-comet-collision-earth-507/

    Scientists have detected a comet 140 meters in diameter that is due for a fly-by in 2040. There is an outside chance that it could collide with Earth.

    The giant rock, known as AG5, has an elliptical orbit that will bring it within striking distance of our planet in 23 years. According to researchers the comet could be diverted towards Earth by a gravitational keyhole – an area of space subject to the gravitational pull of surrounding planets.

    Although the chances are slim, the possibility of impact is a little too close for comfort.

    "In 2012, AG5 is the object which currently has the highest chance of impacting the Earth in 2040. However, we have only observed it for about half an orbit, thus the confidence in these calculations is still not very high," said Detlef Koschny of the European Space Agency's Solar System Missions Division.

    NASA has calculated that AG5 has a one in 625 chance of striking Earth in 2040.

    Scientists at the 49th session of the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in Vienna are taking the threat in all earnest and have even begun to draw up possible deflection scenarios.

    They are using comet AG5 as a "desktop exercise" for the development of technologies to deflect asteroids and meteorites that stray too close to our planet. It is thought scientists will be able to better gauge the course of the comet in 2013 as it will be observable from the ground, but until then they will be keeping a close eye on the celestial giant.
    Click to expand...
    Thoughts?
     
    At least this didn't come out of the mind of a lunatic prophet. Still, even though this came from people that can actually be counted on, it clearly states that there is a slim chance of that comet actually coming down towards us.

    Not only that, 28 years is a substantial amount of time, so I'm very sure that there will be some form of a counter-measure if that comet does careen towards our planet.

    Whichever way one looks at it, there's still not much to worry about.
     
    As much as I don't want it to happen, there's nothing we can do about it yet, right? :\

    Also, 1/625 chances...I don't like those odds.
     
    Well since it is in 2040, within that time soooo..... scientists have a chance of thinking of a new plan to counter this comet i think? :333
     
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    [SIZE="a"]As previous posts stated, even if it Does hit, 28 years is plenty of time for them to take precautions <_< I normally wouldn't even care,but seeing it's from reliable people...>_>[/SIZE]
     
    So I'll be 48. Well, at least I'll be married and have kids as opposed to dying this year as a lonely virgin that never got to drink and only voted once. Oh and I think it's nonsense btw. As per usual.
     
    What kind of countermeasure can you possible come up with against a giant comet hurtling towards Earth? Science isn't magic, you guys.
     
    Team Fail said:
    Atomic bomb! I think by the time 2040 rolls around, we'll have far more powerful technology and we could probably prevent a meteor from crashing into the planet. That's when you really think about it.
    Click to expand...

    I highly doubt it. I think we'll have computers that can do what you want the millisecond you're done thinking it but not a giant...shield against a comet. There's a different between technological advancement and the ability to affect where the Earth is or where a massive comet is. It's not a matter of "will we be advanced enough", it's a matter of not having the ability to affect these things.
     
    Not concerned. It's years away and we don't have enough data yet. When we do, we'll know the full odds and if there's some problem we'll just blow it up.
     
    I'm with Toujours on this one, there really isn't much we can do to counter this comet in a bit less than three decades. The irony of this situation is that 'Armageddon' is one of my all time favourite films and I don't have the slightest faith in the plan they came up with.
     
    Cello said:
    Can't wait until 2040, so we can see what year the world will really end then.
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    Only to find out that some other scientist reveals the world will end in 3000. I am not actually scared of the 1/625 chance and at least we are somewhat prepared for the comet's impact, even though there is still a chance.
     
    Nothing we can do to counter it in three decades?

    Ha. Ha.

    I can think of a few things, with current technology. Space probe carrying a nuclear warhead? Space shuttle equipped with high powered missiles? Having one of the space labs serve as a sacraficial shield to lessen the damage?

    Even still, a lot can happen in 30 years. Especially if there is enough motivation. And what better motivation then saving the entire planet yourself?

    Even then, 1 in 625 odds of it hitting us is .0016%. Basically, nothing to worry about. Won't happen.

    Anyway, everyone knows that the world is really going to end on 10-23-2077
     
    It's out of our control, the odds are stated at 1/625, there's always threats from comets and asteroids but if this is 28 years away, why worry now? Besides Scientists may come up with something to deflect these objects by then.
    We've got the same situation with another asteroid, 99942 Apophis it's the same except it's supposed to arrive in 2036, 4 years earlier.
     
    Guess what? I don't even give a damn about all this "end of the world" rumors. They just keep trying to lie to us and make us all freak out about the world is ending.
     
    Well. For one, I never believe anything scientists say anyway. To much theories and make-believe stories, in my opinion. I personally believe they are doing this to make attention to their theories and make big buck off this. $$$$ is everything these days anyway right?

    What's next, the world will end the year 2345?
     
    These were the first thoughts that occurred to me:

    1. Not gonna happen.

    2. We won't have the technology to stop this in 28 years. There's no money in comet-avoidance.

    3. Scientists (or maybe reporters) trying to drum up interest with sensationalist headlines.
     
    Scarf said:
    2. We won't have the technology to stop this in 28 years. There's no money in comet-avoidance.
    Click to expand...

    There's not much money in it probably but there'll be no money anywhere if this really does happen. I'm pretty sure people could forget the money just one for the sake of not having a repeat of what happened to the dinosaurs...

    But yeah, I think we'll have the technology to stop it. I don't know what technology, but I think we'll have it. Although that said, I'm fairly sure that this is being exaggerated by reporters. The fact that it's been stated that the calculations currently aren't very accurate, yet the article goes on regardless to state a figure from NASA, suggests that the figure has been pretty heavily manipulated.

    although the 2012 end of the world isn't meant to happen until december lol
     
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