----- Original Message ----
From: Wirt Atmar <[log in to unmask]>
[...]
This student's conclusion reportedly is based on the possibility of a 
collision with an artificial satellite during the asteroid's close 
approach in April 2029. However, the asteroid will not pass near the 
main belt of geosynchronous satellites in 2029, and the chance of a 
collision with a satellite is exceedingly remote. 
[...]
==============================================

For a 13 year-old, this is an excellent first foray into doing professional 
science. Although his basic hypothesis is plausible, his conclusions are 
exceedingly unlikely to be true.

---------------------------------

Plausible how?  From a couple of other numbers bandied about in the original article, the asteroid is a couple hundred BILLION tons -- the satellite will likely change the trajectory about as much as a fly hitting your windshield will cause you to change lanes....


[well, unless the sound startles you too much...]

* To join/leave the list, search archives, change list settings, *
* etc., please visit http://raven.utc.edu/archives/hp3000-l.html *