Science

User Posts : 364 Join date : 2010-05-02

Hi all,
Recent studies of near earth objects, particularly asteroids, has revealed how many there are out there of a size that could do serious damage to a major city.

It is now estimated that the air burst asteroid that exploded over Siberia last century could have been as small as 30metres in diameter.
It is the small ones that are more likely to explode and because of their speed the energy of the explosion is directed to the earth and not absorbed as much as a direct impact!
The Tunguska event devastated 1000's of square miles of Siberian taiga forest.

Could a major city be evacuated in twenty fours hours? One doubts it after the New Orleans experience. We may get very little warning of a 'black one', 30metres in diameter, on its approach to Earth.
regards
Derek

Subject: Re: Science Thu Nov 11, 2010 6:38 am

Hello Derek,

I found this just now from Nasa gov :- Asteroid 2010 TD54 to Pass Within Earth-Moon System on October 12, 2010
October 11, 2010

A small asteroid will fly past Earth early Tuesday within the Earth-moon system. The asteroid, 2010 TD54, will have its closest approach to Earth's surface at an altitude of about 45,000 kilometers (27,960 miles) at 6:50 EDT a.m. (3:50 a.m. PDT). At that time, the asteroid will be over southeastern Asia in the vicinity of Singapore. During its flyby, Asteroid 2010 TD54 has zero probability of impacting Earth.

Well, that fly by was last month.

I'm glad that these don't 'drop' more often.

Are we the only planet that is hit by these near earth objects? Perhaps other planets are hit too. Just wondering.

Regards,
Tessa Very Happy

User Posts : 364 Join date : 2010-05-02

Hi Tessa,
Good to see you.

No, apparently the earth and planets are made from the material of a previous super-nova. That is how we come have a full range of elements including the heavy ones. These space debris are collections of supernova dust, as are the planets.
So current thinking is; due to gravity and orbital disturbance due to the sun's rays much of this material collected together in the forming of the solar system planets and asteroids. Asteroids collected together and formed planets. Of course most of the supernova dust made our sun in the first place.

Icy asteroids and comets from the distant, Ort Cloud, also, perhaps, played their part in forming the oceans of earth.

Hence the planets were formed in this truly amazing way. Ours happens to be in the 'Goldilocks Zone'.

So when asteroids or comets hit us, and other planets, occasionally it is the like the drops of rain at the end of a very long cloud burst.
Actually the large gas giant planets now act as solar system sweepers and protect earth from many of the stray comets.

The universe is designed for life, it has been structured by the Creator to have life and comprehend its own existence. Ultimately that should lead to 'worship', certainly after God disclosing himself to intelligent life.

It is a pity some are not caused to be in awe of the designer by the evident wonder of it all.
God bless
Derek

Subject: Re: Science Thu Nov 11, 2010 3:12 pm

Hi guys,

A journalist I enjoy reading for his OTT cynical attitude to everything touched on this issue of whether we need to worry about the earth’s future in an indirect way by quoting a member of the US Senate's committee on the environment and climate change and then commenting on his opinion. Here is the core of it:

..according to John Shimkus: "As long as the earth endures, seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease. I believe that is the infallible word of God. This earth will only end when God declares that its time is over."

So take that, all you hippy-dippy, tree-hugging environmentalist scum -- how can you possibly argue with such impeccable, flawless logic?

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/columnists/ian-odoherty/ian-odoherty-global-warming-a-myth-god-2415742.html

I am inclined naturally to look on government folk who mix their faith with politics in a negative light. I think Ian O’Doherty is justified in his sarcasm of an article of faith in the political context. But outside of politics and in the realm of faith, I believe John Shimkus may be right.

The reason why I brought this into the discussion is because the earth has survived the potential chaos of the universe for who knows how long with few scars that have made any impact on our human existence here. It may be that God will take care of His earth no matter what the dangers are.

Regards,
Brendan.

User Posts : 364 Join date : 2010-05-02

Hi Brendan,
To mix metaphors! Smile

I think it a case of lifting up our heads but not hiding them in the sand! Smile

Regards
Derek

Subject: Re: Science Thu Nov 11, 2010 5:58 pm

Hi Derek,

This excerpt might please you!

Last week the House Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space added an amendment to the NASA appropriation bill requiring the space agency to come up with a plan to find and catalog all menacing heavenly intruders within a decade.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,981200,00.html#ixzz14zBrYvFu

Regards,
Brendan.

User Posts : 364 Join date : 2010-05-02

Hi Brendan,
We always have to remind ourselves in this fragile life beset by change and decay we may lose our mortality quicker than we would like.

During the Black Death whole villages were wiped out in England and half the population died in some areas. It wasn't even the end times.

All our permanence is linked to God's Son.
Peace to all
Derek

Ps. We have a bad storm coming this evening, I hope we do not lose our electric but the Black Death puts it in perspective! Smile