Schwassmann-Wachmann 73P; Here's what I learned about its trajectory | |
molesworth User ID: 83299 United Kingdom 04/29/2006 09:51 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Cool! (Literally :-) ) It'll have to wait a few years though - I'm off to the Azores in a couple of months for this year's adventure, then I'm planning on seeing Kamchatka next year. So much planet to see, so little time... |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 85400 United States 04/29/2006 09:52 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 85400 United States 04/29/2006 09:53 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 38610 United States 04/29/2006 09:58 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I note that now that war with Iran is becoming less and less likely in the near term, with Iran now even saying it will cooperate with UN inspections, more energy is being exerted in the direction of a space-based catastrophy via Comet 73P, EVEN THOUGH NASA HAS ABSOLUTELY GONE OUT ON A LIMB AND REFUTED SUCH A NOTION IN HUNDREDS OF MEDIA PUBLICATIONS. Man if this thing happens, it will make NASA the king of liars, won't it? Don't bet on it. I would, however, keep an eye on Mount Merapi and the other two volcanoes. Also, watch Al Qaeda try to trigger civil war in Pakistan and overthrow Musharraf, then take the country over and then Bin Laden wage war against India. Also, another 9-11 is distinctly possible this year due to the short time between Al Qaeda videotapes that are being released. Watch out for the warning ... I think it is coming. On another thread, many people think Zhirinovsky is crazy. He is, I believe. However, I think he is making a serious effort to trt to win ther presidency in Russia in 2008 ... and I think he will succeed. Enjoy the time we have, things are getting dangerous, just not the way you might think. |
molesworth User ID: 83299 United Kingdom 04/29/2006 10:01 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | "50% is definitely exaggerated, but so is a decimal percentage with a lot of zeros..." Looking at the mass-energy-velocity factors I don't think so (or not wildly so). The only way we could get a large fragment impacting would be from a VERY large force being applied to it some time ago, and that kind of explosive force would probably have completely broken up the comet at the same time. Since we're only seeing the final throes of the break-up now (and none of it appears to have been in the "extremely violent" category) there hasn't been enough energy or time to get anything large as far as the Earth's orbit. It'll be interesting to see who's right at the end of May... |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 85400 United States 04/29/2006 10:06 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Well, I'm not predicting either way. And I suppose it depends on what you consider "large"... It definitely looked like a violent fragmentation in the hubble video. Those pieces were flying in a lot of different directions, not to mention slowing down quite a bit. I worry about the end of this chain lashing us as it crosses over at the end of may. I would certainly agree that the main fragments are going to miss us by a long shot. It is the ones that are not visible, slow, and around house-sized that we should focus our attention on. |
Manic626 User ID: 85204 United States 04/29/2006 10:08 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 38610 United States 04/29/2006 10:13 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Manic626 User ID: 85204 United States 04/29/2006 10:22 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 38610 United States 04/29/2006 10:27 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | I think NEITHER is likely this month or next ... but the comet doomsday scenario definitely is to you GLPers. NASA has blown this rumour apart ina very definitive, no-nonsense manner. The media, controlled by Bush, is backing off Iran and focusing once again on Al Qaeda and also on Iraq. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 85400 United States 04/29/2006 10:38 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Do you think NASA would confirm it, if there was to be an impact. The possibility of a raging panic would be motivation enough to issue a statement. Either they are telling the truth, or trying to prevent the spread of unofficial claims that these comets may hit. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 85400 United States 04/29/2006 10:39 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 57806 United States 04/29/2006 10:46 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Movie of break up now available. [link to www.spacetelescope.org] |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 74237 United States 04/30/2006 12:03 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
ScienceOnly (OP) User ID: 86799 United States 04/30/2006 12:32 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Hey guys! I've had a wonderful time tonight looking towards the comets. I can't see them yet with my binoculars. However, I was studying the constellations in the area, getting a good feel for how bright each star was relative to others. Mostly I was looking towards hercules, bootes, and corona borealis. I have also been studying the simulations. It looks like the main comet will pass right through Lyra and on over through Cygnus (sounds like a 'Rush' song!). The fragments are behind, for the most part, and will appear up higher. What I noticed on the simulator is that none of the lagging fragments will pass under Vega, the bright star of Lyra, on the way to Cygnus. If any do, then we know they are closer to the Earth than we want to think. Otherwise, it will be a really great couple of weeks looking at that comet breaking up. I hope the 6 inch telescope I ordered will be able to do the job {{{{shaking}}}} |
ScienceOnly (OP) User ID: 86799 United States 04/30/2006 12:38 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Yes! I took the plunge a couple of years ago. I have the Starry Nght Pro version. I run Win98 second edition. It works pretty darn good. I especially like to be able to plant myself on any celestial body I want to, and then look at everything from that perspcetive. These guys really put some programming time into this software...one of the best $200 I have spent on software...probably the ONLY time I ever spent $200 and I am pleased. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 85400 United States 04/30/2006 01:24 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Science Only, Eric Julien's revised paper had orbit simulations of the fragments that looked very much like the ones you formulated. This hints at some degree of accuracy. I really appreciate the hard work. Any new findings? Theories? |
Stayinformed User ID: 73888 United States 04/30/2006 01:57 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Email I just received NASA details comet's approach to Earth NASA officials issued more information Thursday about Comet Schwassmann-Wachmann 3. The comet will pass Earth next month as it approaches the point nearest the sun during its 5 1/2-year orbit. Astronomers have been observing the comet for more than 75 years and its trajectory around the sun is well understood, NASA said. Astronomers say the comet has broken into more than 40 fragments, but any pieces resulting from the breakup of its main body will come no closer than 5.5 million miles to Earth. That's more than 20 times the Earth-moon distance. The comet's closest approach to Earth will occur May 12-28, NASA scientists said, emphasizing neither the main comet nor any of its pieces pose a danger. The main fragment will pass closest to Earth May 12 at a distance of approximately 7.3 million miles. It will be visible with small telescopes during the morning hours in the constellation Vulpecula. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 85400 United States 04/30/2006 01:59 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
drag User ID: 77460 Thailand 04/30/2006 02:07 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 85400 United States 04/30/2006 02:10 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | We are just gonna have to sit on it and try to research... |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 87074 Belgium 04/30/2006 03:46 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
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Anonymous Coward User ID: 85992 United States 04/30/2006 04:17 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Nostradamus 2.62 - Mabus will soon die and there will happen a dreadful destruction of people and animals. Suddenly, vengeance will appear, a hundred hands, thirst and hunger, when the comet passes. Look to see if Abu Musab al Zarqawi dies within the next couple of weeks to see if this ties in with the comet. |
Some1 User ID: 73929 United States 04/30/2006 05:36 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | >Eric Julien's revised paper had orbit simulations of the fragments that looked very much >like the ones you formulated. This hints at some degree of accuracy. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA That's RICH, Psuedo-Science posting something ACCURATE regarding science... |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 85727 United States 04/30/2006 05:39 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
asan User ID: 75343 Guatemala 04/30/2006 09:53 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Remember the NASA Caveman???? [link to www.cyberspaceorbit.com] In August 1999, several reports came to light of a contracted worker from Nasa found in a cave in the Caldwell, Ohio area. Apparently, fleeing a coming asteroid or comet that was to hit the North Atlantic, sometime within the next 9 years; he had set up camp in a cave in the Wolf Run State Park, by Wolf Run Lake. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 80246 United States 04/30/2006 09:56 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | |
bamaboy User ID: 15505 United States 04/30/2006 10:44 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | One of the signs to closely examine if there is a likely hood of some disturbance would be to watch the markets. If gold and silver increase rapidly for no reason, that would be a concern. Obviously if Gas and Coal, and other energy sources skyrocket for no apparent reason, more concern. Construction materails skyrocket, concern, steel prices rise sharply, concern. A sudden shortgage of MRE's and ammo of all types, concern. The movements of elected officials. Remember during the Cuban Missle crisis, Kennedy cancelled events due to a cold. Compartmentalzed security will prevent leaks, but the markets tells all. Last but not least sudden movements of national treasurses and resources, or closed access. |
Anonymous Coward User ID: 48302 United States 04/30/2006 10:53 AM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | SUN HALO: "Winter has lingered so long here in central California that we have had virtually no views of the disintegrating comet or anything else in the night sky," says Andy Skinner of Mariposa, California. "However, there have been sun halos for days and days." He photographed this one on April 25th: Sun halos are a sign of tiny ice crystals in high cirrus clouds. The crystals catch the rays of the sun and bend them into a rainbow-colored circle 22 degrees in radius. Winter is not required: it's always cold enough for ice crystals to form 10 km above the ground where cirrus clouds float. |