Today the B612 Foundation issued a call to action to the United States Government. In a detailed presentation, members of this scientific organization stated:
The purpose of this paper is to call upon the Congress of the United States to initiate, via the National Research Council or other appropriate body, a formal analysis of the circumstances presented by the close encounter between the Earth and asteroid 2004MN4 in April 2029, and the potential for a subsequent collision with Earth in 2036.
As reported here on April 3, 2005, the B612 Foundation is dedicated to developing the technology required to deflect an asteroid or comet before it can impact with Earth.
This is not science fiction, and although the paper clearly states that the chances for impact are slight (1 in 10,000 based on limited data) there is enough uncertainty of data to suggest that the best course of action today is to initiate a NASA mission to attach a radio transponder to this asteroid by 2014. This will allow scientists to determine the asteroid's precise orbit over the next nine years, in time to take action if the likelihood of impact drops to between 1 in 100 and 1 in 10, based on the new observational data. "Action" means a NASA mission to deflect the asteroid enough to cause it to miss Earth by a wide margin. It's easier to do this sooner, and very difficult (near impossible) to do at the last minute.
This asteroid, estimated by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to be 320 meters in diameter, will come within 30,000 km. of the Earth, passing just behind the Earth in its orbit but well within the geostationary satellite orbit. A collision with the Earth during this 2029 close encounter has been definitively ruled out. Observers in Europe and North Africa, however, will be treated to an unusual sight; the opportunity to view an asteroid with the unaided eye as it passes through the early evening sky toward the just set Sun.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Eric Berlin
This is some scary and perversely fasinating stuff, Bennett. Really nice job.
2 - Keefer
Thanks for bringing this up. Everyone seems to frequently forget that we are stuck on a huge rock hurling thru outer space.
3 - Tan Hoang
If there was an asteroid plunging to Earth, I think the government would censure it. I mean, even if we were certain that we were gonna die in 30 years, who would want to know now? There would be chaos for 30 years until the end.
4 - Bennett
Thanks Eric and Keefer, it's hot off the press!
Tan, I tend to believe that information like you describe would get onto the net. Too many people have blogs and access to web groups for a long term cover up. Perhaps I'm naive tho...
5 - DrPat
Unfortunately, Tan, as the current debate over the coming insolvency of the Social Security System here shows, people would rather ignore incoming issues (as long as they are sufficiently long-range) until it is too late to rscue anyone!
Also, check the Friday the 13th scan I posted Friday before last; the April 13th 2029 impact will occur on a Friday (if it does, in fact, occur at all.)
6 - RJ
"There would be chaos for 30 years until the end."
Viagra-fueled orgies, baby.
Yeah.
7 - Matt Paprocki
Where's Bruce Willis when we need him?
8 - mouktar
O my god were all going to die why me
9 - JR
Probably because you harbored impure thoughts. Haven't you been paying attention around here?
10 - just a man
Finally ..now I can sleep at night ...you Americans sure have cornered the world on impure thoughts, so I know it won't hit here.
11 - George W. Bush
I had a dream that one day white men and black men would step forward and get in a shuttle and commit suicide into the asteroid and if they succeed that would be cool. Eh
12 - juatin
hey i beside the astroide are there any other catastrphic things that await our generation
13 - Geoff
Well if that doesnt get us, global warming will surely finish us off by the next century!
14 - notorious_bills_fan
2004MN4, When i was living in El Salvador I swear I seen an asteroid fly by. It was Early morning. I'm curious to know if this was the same one. The way i remember it, it was oval-shaped and craters on it and had steam coming from it. It also looked like it was rolling accross the sky,it was one of the coolest things i ever saw in my life. If anyone can verify if it was the same one post some info.
15 - Death
cool! i cant wait for everyone to die! since people are making this world more messed up (global warming, new dieseas, killing animals, etc) i hope the end of the world comes...humanity must be thought a lesson that they will never forget!
16 - Superman
Fear not my human friend's. I will direct the assteroid onto San Fran.
17 - Dr Dreadful
#16: Good evening, sr. Yet another new BC alias, eh?
#15 isn't who he says he is. The real Death speaks IN HOLLOW CAPITALS, LIKE THIS. And also enjoys curry.
18 - SimplySubliminal
yeah but what about Dec.21 2012 at 10:24am, what happens then? We may not be around to see this.
19 - Hmmcoulditbe
notorious_bills_fan what were u on
20 - L.rascal
i beleive this is not wright . why should we be hit by an astroid . we dont need to die . some people can be happy because there going to die before it happens. but where teens and we are going to be alive then . cry cry cry
21 - him
I am scared I'm 13 and whats if I don't even get my drivers license by then
22 - platje
ok
23 - bob
The only real solution to the threats of asteroids is the Global Asteroid Protection Society (stoprocks.com). The international space community is not prepared for a threat and currently our technology is lacking. Take a look and see for yourself.
24 - manofgod
just give your life to God that is all
25 - Robbie
But; What if this asteroid has impacted on our fair Moon?