A Giant Asteroid Is Coming Our Way

Beware! In about ten years we may witness a big bang right here on our Planet Earth.

In early September, astronomers warned that a giant asteroid is heading for Earth and could hit us in 2014. But for those fearing Armageddon, don't be alarmed -- the chances of a catastrophic collision are just one in 909,000.

The asteroid, which is referred to as "2003 QQ47", will be closely monitored over the next two months. Its potential strike date is March 21, 2014, but astronomers say that any risk of impact is likely to decrease as further data is gathered.

On impact, it could have the effect of 20 million Hiroshima atomic bombs, a spokesman for the British government's Near Earth Object Information Center said.

The Center issued the warning about the asteroid after the giant rock was first observed in New Mexico by the Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research Program.

Asteroids such as 2003 QQ47 are chunks of rock left over from the formation of the solar system 4.5 billion years ago. Most are kept at a safe distance from the Earth in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter.

But the gravitational influence of giant planets such as Jupiter can nudge asteroids out of these safe orbits and send them plunging towards Earth.

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Khorsheed.com – Sep 2003