APOPHIS to miss Earth by 23k miles

Apophis to miss Earth in 2029. A slight increase in the distance from the last measurements. An improved accuracy of distance would be to do parrallax measurements long baseline from 2 distant locations on Earth.

(99942) APOPHIS (= 2004 MN4)
L. A. M. Benner et. al., Jet Propulsion Laboratory and others report on IAUC 8711 that Arecibo radar observations of minor planet (99942) = 2004 MN4 on May 6 when coupled with earlier measures back to 2004 May 15 increases the 2029 Apr. 13.9 earth-centre miss-distance by 450 km to 5.93 earth radii. The nominal predicted earth-close- approach distance in 2036 increases from 0.168 to 0.276 AU, moving the statistical earth encounter
to a lower-probability region within the distribution of possible orbits.

If any IFAS members are interested in getting involved in asteroid positions, there is a discussion going on at post 'Announcement J62' in the General section. If there is enough interest Dave Mc and myself would be happy to do a workshop to explain how you can get involved in asteroid positions at the next WSP.

Eamonn A

If any IFAS members are interested in getting involved in asteroid positions, there is a discussion going on at post 'Announcement J62' in the General section. If there is enough interest Dave Mc and myself would be happy to do a workshop to explain how you can get involved in asteroid positions at the next WSP.

:shock:

Exactly why we need more people doing serious science on this subject!!!
If enough of us are looking out for this kind of thing then the chances are greater of us spotting a NEO potential disaster and giving more advanced warning. - It's up to us folks - seriously!! :twisted: