2008 CK70 one of the many tiny asteroid close approaches

[MeteorWayne]

2008 CK70 will pass just under 1 Lunar distance (~377,000 km) about 0100 UT on Feb 15th.<br /><br />It also has made the risk page with a single shot of an impact on Valentines Day 2030 (although NEODyS also lists a low probability second chance on 2/15/2032)<br /><br />Diameter estimated at 32 meters.<br /><br />Analysis based on<br />59 observations spanning 3.0087 days<br />(2008-Feb-09.34106 to 2008-Feb-12.34977)<br /><br />Torino Scale (maximum) 0 <br />Palermo Scale (maximum) -3.16 <br />Palermo Scale (cumulative) -3.16 <br />Impact Probability (cumulative) 2.8e-04 <br />Number of Potential Impacts 1 <br /><br />Earth MOID = 3.5085E-5 AU (~ 5200 km)<br /><br />We are discovering an astounding number of these tiny asteroids making close approaches. The search efforts are really paying off.<br /><br />All these are 2008 asteroids (i.e. 2008 goes before the designations below)<br />Asteroid Approach date Lunar Distances Diameter<br /><br />CD70 CA 2/10 3.9 LD 16m<br />CF22 CA 2/10 1.5 LD 28m<br />CM74 CA 2/15 2.5 LD 11m<br />CN116 CA 2/15 5.8 LD 21m<br />CB6 CA 2/17 4.8 LD 16m<br /><br /><br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[nexium]

If we were ready to launch today, how difficult would it be to land two astronaughts on a 32 meter asteroid that passes closer than the Moon tomarrow? I'm thinking one way. Perhaps arranging return on the 2030 next close approach. 32 meters is close to optimum for a center of mass habitat, as it provides excellent radiation protection. Neil

 

[MeteorWayne]

I'd imagine landing would be a real challenge, since you'd get no help from gravity <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>

 

[rybanis]

Treat it like a docking.<br /><br />Now theres an issue to think of. What would you do to stay affixed to the object you were "landing" on? Explosively launched grapple hooks or something to moor to the asteroid? <br /><br /><br />Hey, they did that in <i />Deep Impact</i>. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[MeteorWayne]

Interesting, it's not that much different than docking with the ISS, gravity wise. That's a superb point.<br /><br />But of course, when docking with the ISS, you have a high quality connection.<br /><br />A grapple or penetrator seems like the only way for it to work on a comet or asteroid. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><font color="#000080"><em><font color="#000000">But the Krell forgot one thing John. Monsters. Monsters from the Id.</font></em> </font></p><p><font color="#000080">I really, really, really, really miss the "first unread post" function</font><font color="#000080"> </font></p> </div>