Asteroid last. The largest meteorites that have fallen to Earth
Incredible news has spread all over the world - a huge celestial body is approaching the Earth. Asteroid in 2017 year will come to a record close distance to our planet and some scientists suggest that even a collision is possible.
Of course, one does not want to believe in the worst and one must hope that all the calculations of astronomers will turn out to be false, but it is advisable to analyze the approaching catastrophe in advance. This will allow us to be prepared for any outcome that comes in the future. Moreover, many different cataclysms of cosmic nature are known.
O great and terrible asteroid
The Phaeton asteroid was discovered back in 1983. Even then, it attracted the attention of researchers with its scale and original orbit. Astronomers did not stop trying to properly deal with this cosmic “inhabitant” and tried to accurately calculate its trajectory around the Sun. In addition, scientists were able to unravel the period of its rotation, as well as understand its main thermophysical characteristics.
Phaeton can be safely attributed to the Apollo group. This celestial body, moving around the Sun, each time approaches the maximum distance that is not inherent in objects of this type, namely 0.14 astronomical units (approximately 21 million kilometers). The researchers suggested that Phaeton is the main celestial body of the Geminid meteor shower, which is perfectly visible from Earth in the middle of winter.
It is worth noting that this space object in its orbit is more like a comet than an asteroid. Its trajectory around the Sun resembles a highly elongated ellipse (eccentricity 0.9). In addition, during its continuous movement, the asteroid crosses the orbits of four terrestrial planets. All these data give scientists a lot of reasons for reflection, and also confirms their guesses regarding the nature of Phaethon. They believe that it is the silicate nucleus of a comet that lost its icy shell in the process of flying around the Sun.
To accurately determine the shape and size of a given celestial body, it is necessary to collect photographs taken from different angles. As a rule, such photographs can be obtained after several decades. Astronomer Josef Hanus and his team were able to use 55 Phaeton images taken between 1994 and 2015. In addition, scientists were able to obtain 29 light curves, thanks to state-of-the-art telescopes located around the world.
Hanus noted that all these data helped to study in detail the shape, exact dimensions (5.1 km) and rotation period (3.6 hours) of the studied space body.
Danger from Phaeton
The meeting of earthlings with a celestial body, the size of which is much larger than the Chelyabinsk meteorite, should take place on October 12, 2017. For several years in a row, scientists have been trying to predict the exact path of Phaeton's flight, because no one wants the predicted meeting to happen. But it is not yet possible to say for sure whether the predictions will come true or not. One thing is clear - the cosmic body will approach our planet at a distance of about 10 million kilometers. What the consequences of such an approach might be, one can only guess. In the meantime, astronomers continue to closely monitor the movements of this celestial body and try to find out its composition in order to get even closer to unraveling its connection with the Geminid meteor shower.
The largest meteorites that have fallen to Earth
Goba
This meteorite is considered the largest in the world. It fell in Namibia back in prehistoric hours. For a long time, the block lay underground and was discovered in 1920. It has been established that during the fall, the cosmic body weighed 90 tons, but over the millennia of being underground, as well as in the process of research operations, its mass has decreased to 60 tons. In addition, many tourists still prefer to appropriate at least a small particle of a celestial body, so Goba continues to “lose weight”.
Tsarev
In 1922, the entire Astrakhan province was able to observe the fall of a large fireball, accompanied by a deafening roar. The sudden explosion was followed by a rain of rocks. The next day after the fall, the residents found boulders of various sizes in their yard. The largest cobblestone weighs 284 kg and is currently in the Museum. Fersman, in Moscow.
Tunguska
In 1908, a powerful explosion of 50 megatons occurred near the Podkamennaya Tunguska River. Such power is possible only with the explosion of a hydrogen bomb. This phenomenon was followed by a strong blast wave, during the spread of which, huge trees were uprooted. Residents of nearby villages lost all windows, many animals and people died. locals they claimed that a few minutes before the fall they saw a bright ball in the sky, which was rapidly approaching the earth. Remarkably, no research team was able to detect the remains of the Tunguska meteorite. However, in the area of impact found huge amount silicate and magnesium balls, which could not have formed in this area, therefore they are credited with cosmic origin.
Chelyabinsk
On February 15, 2013, the whole of Chelyabinsk shuddered from the blast wave - a meteorite fell near the city. About 1,600 people were injured and windows were broken in 300 houses. Scientists have proven that this meteorite was the second largest after the Tunguska. The weight of the largest piece that was found in the area of impact is 503.3 kg. Scientists are still trying to understand why it exploded, and how they could have missed the appearance of such a large cosmic body within our planet.
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The Earth is waiting for another test, asteroid 2012-TC4 is approaching. October 12, 2017 is another unpredictable day in the history of our planet. At this time, the asteroid 2012TC4 will fly in close proximity to the Earth, where it will fall, and what last news tell us the astronomers consider below. It should be noted that any change in its trajectory threatens us with the end of the world.
Conspiracy theorists are talking about a new end of the world, which, according to their forecasts, will come on October 12, 2017.
This time, conspiracy theorists say, the Earth will die because of the asteroid 2012 TC4.
In 2012, the asteroid 2012 TC4 flew past our planet at a distance of 0.247 LD (Lunar Distance), which is approximately 94,800 km. Previous calculations showed that in 2017 it will fly past our planet at a distance of 0.079 LD. But there have been reports that this time around, asteroid 2014 TC4 will come within 4,000 miles of Earth. And this is an almost guaranteed collision of a celestial body with a planet.
Representatives of official science claim that the asteroid 2012 TS4 does not yet threaten the Earth, the Rsute portal writes. But they agree that if this asteroid ever crashes into our planet, it could provoke large-scale catastrophes. The consequences of the fall of this asteroid can be much more serious than the fall of the Chelyabinsk meteorite on Earth.
At the same time, when composing a scenario for the fall of such an object as 2012 TC4 to Earth, scientists admit that it can really cause an earthquake, or a volcanic eruption. It all depends on where exactly this object will fall.
Conspiracy theorists claim that 2012 TS4 will cause the end of the world. They claim that it will cause large-scale cataclysms on Earth, in which humanity will not be able to survive.
Asteroid TC4, moving at a speed of 14 kilometers per second, is predicted to approach Earth on October 12, 2017, reports Russian newspaper with reference to NASA. The size of the asteroid is 30 meters, which is almost twice the size of the Chelyabinsk meteorite - 19.8 meters.
October 12, 2017, doomsday: scientists do not believe in the end of the world
According to scientists, the asteroid will pass the Earth at a distance of 43,500 kilometers. Experts cannot calculate the exact distance, which can lead to a high error, but the object will approach the planet by a maximum of 6,800 kilometers, NASA said.
"We are preparing to collect data to characterize and study TC4 as well as previously observed similar objects. And this time, for the first time, we are using the approach of a celestial body to test the worldwide network for detecting and tracking asteroids. This way we can assess our ability to detect the potential threat of asteroids," - said the head of the headquarters of NASA for the observational campaign TC4 Michael Kelly.
Despite the fact that experts estimate the chances of an asteroid colliding with the Earth at 0.00055%, it is nevertheless recognized as potentially dangerous.
It is believed that in order for a space object to pose a threat, it must be at a distance from the planet no more than twenty times farther than its natural satellite.
Our Earth flies through space at breakneck speed and is surrounded by many other small and large flying objects. Small objects do not pose a particular danger, they burn up in the atmosphere, forming beautiful flashes, the so-called meteor showers. But we are not immune from collisions with larger objects - meteorites, asteroids, comets. Moreover, such collisions have already been in the history of the Earth, and there is a hypothesis that one of the collisions with a large asteroid many millions of years ago led to the death of the dinosaurs inhabiting the Earth. Therefore, any approach to the Earth of a large object from space is of interest not only to astronomers around the world, but also to many other inhabitants of the planet.
Now news, especially all sorts of sensations, spread very quickly on the net. Therefore, everyone already knows that an asteroid is flying towards us and, according to scientists, it will approach the Earth at a minimum distance on October 12, 2017. As soon as this information is not interpreted, they even say that the asteroid can fall to Earth and cause the destruction of cities in the area falls, tsunamis, fires, etc. But, of course, one must believe not rumors, but information from centers for the study of space.
Here is how NASA experts describe the situation. The asteroid approaching the Earth is the asteroid we already know by the name of 2012 TC4. This asteroid was approaching the Earth in 2012, but since that time it has been unobservable in telescopes. The asteroid is quite small, 10-30 m in size. Scientists cannot accurately predict how far from the Earth's surface it will pass, but they are sure that this distance will be at least 6,800 km.
Trajectory of asteroid 2012 TC4 (NASA website)
This time, astronomers are tasked with not only observing the flight of an object, but also testing the NASA-led worldwide asteroid detection and tracking network to assess the possibility of working together to prevent the danger of an object falling. The team of specialists includes more than a dozen observatories, laboratories and universities around the world. The goal is to detect, track and fully characterize the near-Earth object 2012 TS, then compare the results and evaluate the prospects for interaction between scientists.
Despite the fact that scientists are confident that the asteroid will not fall to Earth, the exact distance it will approach our planet is not yet known. This asteroid in 2012 passed at a distance equal to about ¼ of the distance from the Earth to the Moon. Based on these observations, scientists calculated its trajectory, but for five years the asteroid did not appear in the visibility zone, so now there is a lot of work to be done to more accurately estimate its trajectory.
The most interesting question that we all have. But what if some large object really threatens the Earth, can we somehow prevent a catastrophe?
Judging by the information on the NASA website, the next options are now being considered as the most promising. Firstly, changing the speed of an object and the direction of its movement by means of a mechanical or laser impact from a ship specially launched into space. Secondly, gravitational braking, i.e. the approach of a massive object to the asteroid, which will change the trajectory of the asteroid. But all these options are possible only if the asteroid is discovered much earlier than the Earth's approach, preferably several months before the impact. The speed of an asteroid flying from space is such that it cannot be shot down while approaching the Earth by any existing aimed weapon. Therefore, the efforts of scientists are now directed to the development of equipment and methods for detecting large near-Earth objects.
In conclusion, some interesting facts.
Astronomers refer to the category of near-Earth objects (NEO - near-Earth object) asteroids and comets, the orbit of which approaches the Sun at a distance closer than 195 million km, this corresponds to a distance to the Earth within 50 million km. Most of the NEO asteroids are flying towards us from the so-called "asteroid belt", which is located between Mars and Jupiter, and in which many collisions occur, as a result of which asteroids can change orbits or break up. Small fragments of asteroids bombard the Earth constantly, in one day about 100 tons of them fall on our planet! Small fragments are destroyed in the atmosphere, fragments larger than 30 m can survive and hit the surface of the planet. It is believed that objects less than 150 m in size can cause only regional destruction on Earth, larger objects can cause sub-global catastrophes, objects larger than 1 km can cause global catastrophes.
Over 16,000 NEO asteroids have been discovered so far. The rate of object detection is rapidly increasing. Every week, scientists discover approximately 30 new NEO objects. NASA began cataloging asteroids in 1998. Catalogs are now available online. The graph below shows how many asteroids were found in which year and how big they are. Statistical calculations of astronomers show that 74% of dangerous asteroids larger than 150 m remain undiscovered at the moment.
Graph from the NASA website.
P.S. On October 12, 2017, the asteroid 2012 TC4 flew past the Earth over the Antarctic region. At the time of peak approach, the distance between the celestial body and our planet was about 42 thousand kilometers. This is more than scientists predicted. We also managed to find out that the space object has a non-spherical shape, and its diameter is about 13-30 meters.
The Ural meteorite for some time distracted scientists from another space object - an asteroid, which is approaching the Earth at this moment. According to calculations, it will approach the minimum distance to our planet at 23:20 Moscow time. This unique event will be broadcast live on the NASA website. The asteroid will be visible to residents of Asia and Australia, as well as, possibly, some parts of Eastern Europe.
In a little more than 2 hours, the DA14 object will pass the Earth at a distance of 28 thousand kilometers - this is closer than some satellites fly. If this asteroid weighing 130 tons and 45 meters in diameter collided with our planet, the explosion would be equal to one thousand Hiroshima. There was even an assumption that the meteorite that fell in the Urals could be part of this space monster and that other, larger ones would follow it. However, most scientists do not see a connection with the DA14 asteroid and the Ural meteorite.
"As to whether we are threatened by Armageddon or not. It is now known for certain. All asteroids larger than one kilometer in diameter, which bring such a catastrophe on a large scale to the Earth, they are all known and have well-known orbits, they are all proto-catalogued and observed There is no danger from them," Lidia Rykhlova, head of the department of space astrometry at the Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, assured.
While watching a large asteroid, the meteorite that fell in the Urals was overlooked. However, it was practically impossible to see it before entering the atmosphere - neither civilian observatories nor missile defense radars can do this - the size is too small and the speed is high. The military says that even if such a meteorite is found, destroying such objects modern systems Air defense is not yet under force. Already in hindsight, scientists deduced the data of a celestial body that had already fallen in the Urals - a mass of several tons, a speed of 15 kilometers per second, an angle of incidence of 45 degrees, and a shock wave power of several kilotons. At an altitude of 50 kilometers, the object collapsed into 3 parts and almost completely burned out in the atmosphere.
"No more than 10 meters in diameter, it flew at supersonic speed and therefore generated a shock wave. This shock wave caused all these destructions, people were injured not by fragments of a meteorite, but by a shock wave. Now, if a supersonic plane would pass on the same altitude, for example, God forbid over Moscow, the destruction would have been the same,” said the deputy director of the State Astronomical Institute. Sternberg Sergei Lamzin.
Any space object that has reached the Earth's atmosphere and left a trace in it is called a meteorite by scientists. As a rule, they are small in size and, moving in the air at a speed of several kilometers per second, completely burn out. And yet, about 5 tons of cosmic matter falls to Earth every day in the form of dust and fine grains of sand. Almost all space guests come to us from the so-called asteroid belt, which is located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.
"Some garbage solar system where all clastic material is concentrated. Collisions between asteroids occur in this belt. As a result, some fragments are formed that can acquire an orbit that intersects the Earth's orbit," said Mikhail Nazarov.
However, some scientists believe that it was not a meteorite that fell near Chelyabinsk at all. They are sure that no one will ever find any fragments, just as they did not find the fragments of the Tunguska meteorite. We are most likely talking about a cooled comet, which consists of frozen gases.
"If the nucleus of a first-generation comet invades the Earth, then it almost completely burns up in the Earth's atmosphere, and it is impossible to find any remnants on the surface. This is similar to the Tunguska phenomenon, when no remnants of the body were found, but there was a large fall of the forest over a large area and the trees were all heavily charred," said Vladislav Leonov, a researcher at the Department of Space Astrometry at the Institute of Astronomy of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Nevertheless, the search for the remains of a meteorite near Chelyabinsk continues. At the same time, not only rescuers and scientists are looking for, now dozens of meteorite hunters have already rushed to the area of the alleged fall. The price of some of them on the black market can reach up to several thousand rubles per gram.
Astrologers promise that on Friday, September 1, 2017, the largest giant asteroid Florence will rush at a minimum distance from our planet. This is the largest asteroid in history flying towards Earth, this fantastic natural phenomenon can be observed with a telescope. On August 21, 2017, an equally significant event will take place in the year of the Rooster, this is the final 2017
How to see an asteroid falling to earth
The largest asteroid will approach the Earth at seven million kilometers, which corresponds to 18 gaps from our planet to the moon. The giant space rock has a diameter of five kilometers, which is an absolute record in the entire history of observing celestial bodies.
It will be possible to observe the asteroid Florence (Florence) with a telescope or binoculars in the region of the constellations of Capricorn, Dolphin, Southern Pisces and Aquarius. The orbit of the giant's flight is well understood, but it will be difficult to track a bright star in the night sky with the naked eye.
The gigantic celestial object was first discovered in 1981 by Australian scientists and has been under close observation ever since. Until now, the trajectory of its flight remains unchanged, which guarantees the earthlings a long life.
Where and when can you observe with a telescope
The falling asteroid can be seen with a telescope between August 31-September 1, at which time the brightness of Florence will be at its maximum. The speed of the falling asteroid against the background of fixed stars will be 0.4 "per second, scientists say, that is, to fly a distance equal to the diameter of the moon's disk in just 1 hour and 15 minutes. If you decide to observe the falling asteroid through a telescope, then set your equipment to maximum magnification .
September 6 on Wednesday, the brightness of the falling body will begin to weaken, but it will still be possible to see with a telescope. On this day, the asteroid Florence will pass the star γ (Gamma) Cygnus. By the way, the previous approach to the Earth happened in 1930, and the next one will happen only in 2057.
NASA posted a video based on photos of how a giant asteroid is approaching the earth, the video shows schematically Florence flies to Earth.
When the end of the world comes
Meteorites and larger celestial bodies regularly fall to Earth. The fall of the asteroid Florence itself in 2017 can trigger the appearance of tornadoes, tsunamis, electromagnetic disturbances, as well as the release of hazardous substances into the atmosphere.
It is known that even a celestial body 10-100 meters in size poses a danger to the Earth, and the diameter of the Florence asteroid is more than five thousand kilometers! The shock wave in the event of its fall will completely destroy Largest cities and will turn into a worldwide flood, as the seas and oceans will change their boundaries.
Astronomers say that a giant celestial asteroid can shoot down one of the Russian satellites, but this is the maximum that it is capable of. Luckily, the largest asteroid in history flies to Earth for absolutely peaceful purposes.
Although it is frightening that in 2017 it will sweep at the smallest distance from the Earth for the entire observation period. If this trend towards rapprochement continues, then in the future our planet may get serious problems. The only consolation is the fact that the next approach of the asteroid Florence to the Earth will occur no earlier than in 500 years.
When an asteroid hits the earth
Could a giant asteroid hit earth in 2017? A dangerous space object is a fateful warning for the inhabitants of the Earth, along with the "eclipse corridor" and the longest in the history of mankind. The giant asteroid in history is flying towards the Earth and the meeting will take place on September 1st. On this day, ancient people celebrated New Year, considering this date the beginning of a new calendar year. Therefore, the appearance of a giant asteroid in the heavenly horizon brings changes in the lives of earthlings and warns of a coming period of instability.
A heavenly sign in the form of a giant asteroid Florence promises people new wars, terrorist attacks and financial instability. Special conspiracies and rituals will help to avert trouble, which an experienced psychic will help to do.
You can independently protect yourself and your family from trouble by doing a simple but powerful protective ritual with the help of water and candles. On the night of September 1, 2017, take a red wax candle and light it with the words: “As the fire burns out, it only leaves me warm, so all the heavenly signs leave, they don’t come into my house. My life is protected, my family is safe. My word is strong. Amen!" Go around all the rooms with a lit candle and let it burn out freely without a trace. Then using holy water drive negativity out of your home. Threefold impact with the help of water, fire and the magic of words will increase the protective resources of your body and give peace and tranquility to the whole family.
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