[meteorite-list] NASA Statement on Student Asteroid Calculations

[ensoramanda]

Hi,

You mean this report....

http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2214375/schoolboy-predicts-asteroid

Graham Ensor

Ron Baalke wrote:

>April 16, 2008
>
>Dwayne Brown
>Headquarters, Washington
>202-358-1726
>dwayne.c.brown at nasa.gov
>
>RELEASE: 08-103
>
>NASA STATEMENT ON STUDENT ASTEROID CALCULATIONS
>
>WASHINGTON -- The Near-Earth Object Program Office at NASA's Jet 
>Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., has not changed its 
>current estimates for the very low probability (1 in 45,000) of an 
>Earth impact by the asteroid Apophis in 2036.
>
>Contrary to recent press reports, NASA offices involved in near-Earth 
>object research were not contacted and have had no correspondence 
>with a young German student, who claims the Apophis impact 
>probability is far higher than the current estimate.
>
>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. 
>
>Therefore, consideration of this satellite collision scenario does not 
>affect the current impact probability estimate for Apophis, which 
>remains at 1 in 45,000.
>
>	
>-end-
>
>
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