Last few days we were busy with sky observation, lecture activities for World Space Week 2008.
After two clear night skies in last two days - today it rained heavily in Hyderabad. So our plans for another sky observation are also washed.
Its 2.45 a.m. on 7th October,08 and i am writing a post to share one very interesting news about an Asteroid. A Hour ago i just checked in mail box to find a press release from "Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics".
Small Asteroid - Discovered :
On 6th Oct,08 it seems a Tiny asteroid was discovered at Arizona observatory just hours ago.
Size of the Asteroid - No Threat :
The size of asteroid is between 3 and 15 feet (1-5 m) in diameter. There is no danger to people or property since the asteroid will not reach the ground i.e., it is expected to burn up in the upper atmosphere, well above aircraft heights. A brilliant fireball will be visible as a result.
Dr. Timothy Spahr, director of the International Astronomical Union's Minor Planet Center said "We want to stress that this object is not a threat,"
Fireball to be visible in Sudan at 2.46 UT on 7th Oct,2008:
For this let us first understand the secret of the glow in sky ...which we otherwise call as shooting star.... in general language.
When a meteoroid (small asteroid) enters the atmosphere, it compresses the air in front of it. That compression heats the air, which in turn heats the object, causing it to glow and vaporize. Once it starts to glow, the object is called a meteor.
So this asteroid would produce a meteor (known as shooting star in layman's language) is expected to be visible from eastern Africa as an extremely bright fireball traveling rapidly across the sky from northeast to southwest. The object is expected to enter the atmosphere over northern Sudan at a shallow angle.
Note: Its a fact that a typical meteor comes from an object the size of a grain of sand. So just imagine this meteor which comes from nearly 6 meter Asteroid.
Here is the video Birds Eye view of This Asteroid
Here is another View of the Asteroid :
Both these videos were created at 3.44 a.m. on 7th Oct,08.
Meek Surrender :
Society always advocated for greater study on Asteroids. Right now nations have left this job to institutions/organsiations in USA/Europe. It's high time active observation and effective tackling methods are thought about.
Before finally ending this post I like you to imagine A huge Asteroid/Comet (Like the one impacted in Siberia 100 years ago)coming towards your country.
Now check/find out what are the solutions available with your country ?
Is there anything your government can do ?
Are there any effective methods to stop the possible impact of such Astroid ?
Was there atleast anyone who thought about such impacts or asteroid ?
Now very clearly you know that this Small Asteroid (2008 TC3) is harmless. Just imagine what would be the case if it were to be huge ?
Is anybody listening in india ?
Do mail me your comments/suggestions on this post at student.astronaut@gmail.com
Its 12.24 p.m. (IST) on 7th October, 2008: No news/updates about the Asteroid.
Its more than 4 and Half hours (as already told this asteroid might have entered earth atmosphere at 2.46 UTC. We checked various sources like bbc, cnn but seems there is no much update, if any one photographed the asteroid in sudan.
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